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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Cassipourea malosana

Trade Name
Abang

Family Name
Rhizophoraceae

Synonyms
Weiheia elliottii, Cassipourea congoensis, Cassipourea elliottii, Cassipourea gerrardii


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Abang, Aetiuget, Aganiya, Andewa, Bangui, Bastard onion wood, Basteruiehout, Chizanzasi, Engai saleki, Funzare, Funzari, Intule, Iroko, Kamba, Kambala, Kangamtibi, Ketiuget, Komoluet, Kusiu, Lesser onion wood, Lomolvet, Lusanga, Maiti, Mandji, Mangweta, Mapakajen, Martit, Mberemembe, Megunda, Mereira, Meyart, Mgiwi, Mpalala, Msadora, Msadoro, Msengera, Muangaita, Muchanja, Mulundu, Musaisi, Muzaisi, Mvula, Ndindi, Ndiri, Ndrie, Nekazito, Nkazito, Odoum, Ol-lorget, Pillarwood, Tendewa, Tule

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts

Heartwood Color
Brown
Black
White to cream
Pale brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Purple
Greenish to greyish
Dark brown
Brown


Sapwood Color
Yellow
White
Same as heartwood


Grain
Straight
Spiral
Crossed
Even
Figure
Stripe (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Spiral
Weak figure
Striped figure


Texture
Coarse
Medium
Resinous and oily
Fine


Natural Durability
Durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Resistant to termites
Very durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Non durable
Perishable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately durable
The sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Durable


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Collapse
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Checking
Distortion
Splitting
Severe twisting/warping
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Severe cupping
Moderate spring/bow


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Thick Stock Requires Care
Requires special attention
Slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Rapid
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is not buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Bole length is 20-30 m


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Difficult


Carving
Fair to Good Results


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy


Gluing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Difficult to glue
Moderate gluing properties


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Easy to mortise
Finishes satisfactorily


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good finishing results
Easy to mould


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Medium
Large


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to nail
Difficult to nail
Pre-boring recommended


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Planes to a satisfactory finish


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Poor
Satisfactory


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities
Difficult to machine


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Routing is easy


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good sanding finish


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Turning
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results


Veneering Qualities
Veneers moderately easy
Difficult to veneer
Veneers easily
Suitable for peeling
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Diifficult to veneer


Steam Bending
Unsuitable
Poor to Very Poor Results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Poor results


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1033416099psi
Density46lbs/ft3
Hardness1326lbs
Impact Strength37inches
Maximum Crushing Strength57528580psi
Shearing Strength2269psi
Stiffness146016861000 psi
Weight4536lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage9%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength7261131kg/cm2
Density737kg/m3
Hardness601kg
Impact Strength93cm
Maximum Crushing Strength404603kg/cm2
Shearing Strength159kg/cm2
Stiffness1021181000 kg/cm2
Weight721576kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%

References
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Battiscombe, E.,1926,A Descriptive Catalogue of some of the Common Trees and Woody Plants of,Kenya Colony,Crown Agents for the Colonies London

Bengough, C.C.,1971,Commercial Timbers of Kenya,Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Department, Kenya

Bois, P.J.,1961,An Experiment with Mechanical Restraint in Seasoning,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Div. Tech. Note,No.24

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Bryce, J. and Kitambi, G.,1960,The Air-drying Properties of some Tanganyika Timbers Technical Note No 23,Tanganyika Forest Department Utilisation Division Technical Note

Bryce, J.M., Norcross, H.,1961,The Resistance of Tanganyika Timbers to Impregnation,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec .Tech. Note,No.28

Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London

Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda

Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Kenya Forest Department,1941,Strengths of Kenya timbers,Kenya Forest Department Bulletin No. 36

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.

Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC

Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa

Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23

Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal]

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Tanzania Forest Department,1958,The Working Properties of Cassipourea elliottii (Pillarwood,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec. Tech. Note, No.13

Tanzania Forest Department,1960,Cassipourea malosana (Pillarwood,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika

Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14

Tanzania Forest Department,1961,The Movement of Timbers Technical Note No.29,Tanzania Forest Department, Utilisation Division Technical Note

Tanzania Forest Department,1966,Flooring Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika

Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi

Tanzania Forest Division,1967,The Weights and Shrinkage of some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sect. Technical Note,No.25

Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya