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Blunting Effect
Boring
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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Painting
Planing
Plantation species?
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Cupressus lusitanica

Trade Name
Cedar of Goa

Family Name
Cupressaceae

Synonyms
Cupressus lindleyi


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Cedar of Goa, Cedro, Cedro amerillo, Cedro blanco, Cedro de la Sierra, Cipres, Cipres de Mexico, East Africa cypress, East African Cypress, Gretado galan, Gretdo amerillo, Gretolo amerillo, Lindley cypress, Lusitanica cypress, Meru cypress, Mexican cypress, Narok cypress, Pinabele, Pinabete, Portuguese cypress, Teatlale, Tlascal, Tlatzcan, Tlazzcan

Plantation species?
Yes

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia

Common Uses
Beehives, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Cabinetmaking, Concrete formwork, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Particleboard, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Shingles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, agricultural implements

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Purple
Black
Pink
Orange
Brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale red to pink
Pale brown


Sapwood Color
Brown
Yellow
Paler than heartwood
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
White to yellow
Different than heartwood

Plantation timber info:

Grain
Straight
Figure
Even
Other (figure)
Variable (figure)
Growth rings (figure)

Straight
Other figure
Irregular color
Clear growth rings (figure)


Texture
Medium
Fine
Coarse
Fine

Plantation timber info:

Luster
Low
Medium
Pronounced
Lustrous

Plantation timber info:

Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin streaks
Gum/resin streaks


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Non-durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Durable
Perishable
Non-resistant to marine borers
Resistant to termites
Moderately durable
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Durable
Perishable
Non durable


Light-Induced Color Change
Lighter


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Distortion
Moderate twist/warp
Slight twist/warp

Plantation timber info:

Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Variable
Slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bole length is 0-10 m
Tree height is 30-40 m


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Moderately easy


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Gluing
Easy to glue


Mortising
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Easy to mould


Movement in Service
Small

Plantation timber info:

Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Pre-boring recommended

Plantation timber info:

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


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Permeable heartwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is resistant
Heartwood is permeable


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Easy to machine

Plantation timber info:

Screwing
Screwing yields good results
Easy to screw


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Very poor


Painting
Satisfactory results

Plantation timber info:

Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results

Plantation timber info:

Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory
Finish is generally good

Plantation timber info:

Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Max. crushing strength = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Toughness (total work) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength664410419psi
Density29lbs/ft3
Hardness378lbs
Impact Strength28inches
Maximum Crushing Strength36696071psi
Shearing Strength1124psi
Stiffness115713561000 psi
Toughness95inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load57inch-lbs/in3
Weight2824lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength467732kg/cm2
Density464kg/m3
Hardness171kg
Impact Strength71cm
Maximum Crushing Strength257426kg/cm2
Shearing Strength79kg/cm2
Stiffness81951000 kg/cm2
Toughness109cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.49cm-kg/cm3
Weight448384kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%

References
Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41

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.,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.

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO

Haslett, A.N.,1986,Properties and Utilisation of Exotic Speciality Timbers Grown in New,Zealand Part III: Cypresses - Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Parl. X,Cupressocyparis leylandii Dall. Cupressus lusitanica Mill. Cupressus,macrocarpa Hartw.,New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.119

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

Paterson,1961,Average mechanical and physical properties of Kenya exotic softwoods,Kenya Forest Department, Technical Note No.82 (revised 1963)

Poynton, R.J.,1957,Notes on Exotic Forest Trees in South Africa (Second Edition, Revised,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.38

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Scott, M.H.,1951,The Quality and Uses of Exotic Softwoods in South Africa,Empire Forestry Review 30:235-249

Shukla, N.K. and Sangal, S.K.,1986,Preliminary studies of strength properties of some exotic timbers,Indian Forester 112:5, 459-465

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

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 - Timber Marketing Co. Ltd.,1978,Timber from Tanzania

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

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

Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47