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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
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
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Newtonia buchananii

Trade Name
Lokundu

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acacia, Chikwani, East African newtonia, Forest newtonia, Lokundu, Lupewere, Mafamuti, Makuruma, Mkufi, Mkwerenyani, Mnyassa, Mofu, Mpehere, Mpewere, Mruga, Mseri, Mshashita, Muchenche, Mufomoti, Mujairaya, Mujerairo, Mukoi, Mukui, Mukunga, Mutole, Mutoyo, Mwosi, N'singa, Newtonia, Nkwerenyani, Omukungu, Pehere, Singa-singa, Umukerekwa

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Broom handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Railroad ties, Shipbuilding, Tables, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat
May soon become Endangered if over-exploitation and habitat destruction persists
Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions.
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Vulnerable in Uganda

Distribution Overview
The species occurs in Central and East Africa.

Heartwood Color
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Brown
Pale red to pink
Pale brown
Greenish to greyish
Reddish brown
Red
Dark brown

Heartwood matures into a golden brown color with age

Sapwood Color
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Well defined
Whitish
Grey
Distinct from the heartwood


Grain
Figure
Distinct (figure)
Interlocked
Even
Straight
Stripe (figure)
Rippled (figure)


Texture
Medium coarse to coarse
Coarse
Medium
Fine to medium
Fine


Luster
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous

The wood is naturally lustrous.

Natural Growth Defects
Gum and mineral deposits


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Perishable
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Durable
Susceptible to pinhole borers
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack by marine borers
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Moderately resistant to attack by termites


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity


Kiln Schedules
UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
Drying (speed) is fast
Dry at a slow speed
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
Dry at a moderate speed
Schedule J (4/4) - United Kingdom.


Drying Defects
Checking
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Slight surface checking
Slight twist/warp
Moderate surface checking
No end splitting
No cupping, generally
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Larger size stock may split during drying
Generally free from spring and bow


Ease of Drying
Easy
Air dries and kiln dries satisfactorily


Kiln Drying Rate
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Soft to moderately hard

Timber properties vary depending upon the origin

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Medium dulling effect on cutting edges
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild


Boring
Difficult


Carving
Good results


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Low cutting resistance
Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable

The timber has low resistance to cutting but growth stresses may cause green logs to bind and split during conversion, and wide boards to split during resawing.

Gluing
Easy to glue
Difficult to glue


Mortising
Difficult to mortise
Easy to mortise
Finishes poorly


Moulding
Difficult to mould
Easy to mould


Movement in Service
Medium
Stable
Moderately stable in service


Nailing
Easy to nail
Pre-boring recommended
Possible if prebored
Holds nails well


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish
Special attention required
Planes to a poor finish
Difficult to plane

A 10 degree cutting angle is recommended for best planing results.

Resistance to Impregnation
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Heartwood is resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to machine
Responds well to hand tools


Sanding
Good sanding finish
Fairly good sanding characteristics


Turning
Difficult to turn
Fairly easy turning, boring, mortising and other machining operations

Fairly soft to moderately hard wood, with properties that vary according to origin. It responds well to ordinary tools in most machining operations, including turning, boring, moulding, mortising, and routing.

Veneering Qualities
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Poor


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results

The material polishes well.

Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory


Varnishing
Good results


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Weight = medium
Very dense
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Resists denting and marring
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = high

The species has high bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). It compares favorably with Teak, which also has high bending strength. Strength in compression parallel to grain is in the high range. Other species in this range include Teak, White oak, and Hard maple

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength901613917psi
Crushing Strength1137psi
Density35lbs/ft3
Hardness1102lbs
Impact Strength2528inches
Maximum Crushing Strength42837019psi
Shearing Strength1627psi
Static Bending9104psi
Stiffness137117401000 psi
Toughness321inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load912inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.430.62
Weight3434lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength633978kg/cm2
Crushing Strength79kg/cm2
Density560kg/m3
Hardness499kg
Impact Strength6371cm
Maximum Crushing Strength301493kg/cm2
Shearing Strength114kg/cm2
Static Bending640kg/cm2
Stiffness961221000 kg/cm2
Toughness369cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.630.84cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.430.62
Weight544544kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.

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]

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

Chalk, L., et al,1932,Some East African Coniferae and Leguminosae,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 1

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

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711

Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9

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

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

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

Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

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.

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

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

Tanzania Forest Department,1962,Newtonia buchananii (newtonia/mkufi/mnyassa,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

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

Uganda Forest Department,1954,Dahoma,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet, No.8

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

Uganda Forest Department,1956,Muchenche - Newtonia buchananii,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet No.27

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

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