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Blunting Effect
Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Lagerstroemia spp.

Trade Name
Pyinma

Family Name
Lythraceae

Synonyms
Lagerstroemia flo, Lagerstroemia reginae


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Abak, Adamboe, Agupanga, Ajhar, Aropag, Astromelia, Banaba, Banang-pulo, Banglang, Batiladhan, Bolashari, Bondara, Bungir, Bungor, Bungor ayer, Bungur, Bungur lilin, Challa hole dasal, Eikmwe, Einmwe, Flor de la reina, Gara, Gara saikre, Gawknguchyamang, Hani, Hole-dasal, Intanin, Intannin, Jarul, Kadali, Kamaung, Kamaungni, Kau-ilan, Ketangi, King of flowers, Langoti, Lohuwa, Mai-sa-hpong, Makabalo, Manaba, Mani maruthu, Mani-maruthu, Melindres, Mitla, Mota bondara, Muhur, Mundi, Muruta, Nabulong, Nir marutha, Nir maruthu, Nir-venthekku, Nirmarud, Omdolu, Pamalasagon, Pamalauagon, Pamarauagon, Pantahaun, Parasabukung, Pride of India, Pu maruthu, Pumaruthu, Pyinma, Pyinma-ni, Queen crapemyrtle, Queen flower, Queen of flowers, Queens flower, Reina de las flores, Sekre, Shem marutha, Tabaek, Tabangao, Tabek, Taman, Tanbangau, Thwa-mu, Thwa-u, wengu, Ye-pyinma

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Furniture , Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Structural work, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Rare
Status has not been officially assessed
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Vulnerable within its growth range in the Philippines, and its status in Vietnam is classified as Insufficiently Known which means that it is suspected to be either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare

Distribution Overview
Indo-Malayan region including Indochina and extending into Indonesia and the Philippines; along rivers and on moist flat land; often cultivated as an ornamental.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Purple
Orange
Reddish brown
Pale red to pink
Light red
Greenish to greyish
Gray-Yellow
Dark brown


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
White to yellow
Yellow/Brown
White
Well defined
Very wide
Pinkish
Different than heartwood
Color not distinct from heartwood

Light yellow brown to grayish white with an occasional pinkish hue.

Grain
Straight
Wavy
Interlocked
Figure
Even
Closed
Growth rings (figure)
Crossed
Distinct (figure)
Other (figure)

Straight
Interlocked
Wavy
Clear growth rings (figure)
Other figure
Occasionally wavy
Distinct figure
Crossed

A combination of the semi-ring pore structure and the occasional wavy grain produces an attractive figure.

Texture
Coarse
Fine
Resinous and oily
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Medium
Fine to medium
Coarse
Uneven
Fine


Luster
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous


Natural Growth Defects
Latex or other ducts


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to termites
Resistant to powder post beetles
Durable
Moderately durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Very durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles)

The heartwood is fairly durable and somewhat resistant to attack by termites

Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


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


Drying Defects
Distortion
Checking
Splitting
Resin Exudation
Ring Shakes
Moderate end spitting
Moderate surface checking
Slight twist/warp
Slight end splitting

Type and extent of degrade during seasoning varies with species. Timber from Lagerstroemia calyculata is described as refractory and is prone to severe warping and splitting.

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Slowly
Reconditioning Treatement
Medium to High Shrinkage
Easy


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is misshapen
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 40-50 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Tree height is 50-60 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Tree height is 60-70 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bark width is greather than 50 mm


Under favorable growing conditions, the trees are reported to mature to heights of about 100 feet, with trunk diameters of 36 to 48 inches (90 and 122 cm). Boles are often fluted, and are clear of branches to about 40 feet.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Little


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Good boring properties
Bored surfaces are usually clean


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Good mortising properties
Finishes satisfactorily


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good moulding properties


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Holds nails well
Easy to nail


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Responds well to most machine tools to produce a relatively smooth finish
Planes to a satisfactory finish
Irregular grain is liable to pick up and may be difficult to plane
Fairly easy to work


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

Heartwood response to preservative treatment is very poor (absorptions less than 2 pcf). The sapwood is treatable.

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

The timber responds well to hand tools.

Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Works well in most machining operations


Sanding
Good sanding finish


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Easy to screw


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn
Finish is generally satisfactory

The timber responds well to ordinary tools to yield good results in turning operations.

Veneering Qualities
Veneers moderately easy
Veneers easily
No drying degrade
Suitable for peeling
Diifficult to veneer


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results


Painting
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Finish is generally satisfactory


Varnishing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Resists denting and marring
Moderately hard
Max. crushing strength = high
Heavy
Density = high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = low

Comparable to teak. Other species in this range include Teak, White oak, and Hard maple

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength937114311psi
Crushing Strength11101723.psi
Density41lbs/ft3
Hardness1119lbs
Impact Strength28inches
Maximum Crushing Strength43777320psi
Shearing Strength1910psi
Static Bending50187824.psi
Stiffness131015971000 psi
Toughness245inch-lbs
Specific Gravity0.51
Weight4030lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6581006kg/cm2
Crushing Strength78121.kg/cm2
Density657kg/m3
Hardness507kg
Impact Strength71cm
Maximum Crushing Strength307514kg/cm2
Shearing Strength134kg/cm2
Static Bending352550.kg/cm2
Stiffness921121000 kg/cm2
Toughness282cm-kg
Specific Gravity0.51
Weight641480kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Blatter, E., Millard, W.S.,1937,Some Beautiful Indian Trees,John Bale, Sons & Cornow Ltd, London

Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 3 Southern Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Burgess, P.F.,1966,Timbers of Sabah,Sabah Forest Record, no.6

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

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15

Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

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

Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A.

Lauricio, F. M., Bellosillo, S. B., The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods, The Philippine Lumber Journal, 12(5):A-H

Limaye, V.D.,1957,Grouping of Indian Timbers and Their Properties, Uses and Suitability.,Indian Forest Records (N.S. Timber Mechanics Vol.1 No.2)

Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249

Martawijaya, A. (Ed.,1978,Timbers used for the ship building industry in Indonesia,Lembaga Penelitian Hasil Hutan, Bogor, Indonesia, Laporan No.109

McCann, C.,1947,Trees of India: A Popular Handbook,D.B.Taraporevala Sons & Co. Bombay

Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols

Purkayastha, S.K.,1982,Indian woods: Their identifications, properties and uses, Vol. IV,Myrlacene to Symploceae,Controller of Publications, New Delhi

Ramesh, Rao K., Juneja, K.B.S.,1971,Field Identification of Fifty Important timbers of India,Dehra Dun India

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Sekhar, A.C.,1967,Some Indian Timbers Equivalent to Foreign Timbers,Van Vigyan 5(1&2,pp18-24

Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand.

Tamolang, F.N., Martawijaya, A., Kartasujana, I., Kadir, K., Parwira, S.,1992,Indonesian Wood Atlas Volume II,Department of Forestry, Agency for Forestry Research and Development,,Bogor-Indonesia

Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

Varian, H.F., Gallardo, A.C.,1940,Notes on the susceptibility to insect attack of Philippine woods,Philippine Journal of forestry 3(3) pp347-78

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

Whitmore, T.C.,1973,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 2,Forest Department Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia