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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 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 Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Ocotea usambarensis Trade Name East African camphorwood Family Name Lauraceae Common Names Camphor, East African camphorwood, Ibean camphor, Kikenzi, Maasi, Mkulo, Mninga, Msasi, Mseri, Muheti, Munganga, Mutunguru, Muura, Muwong, Muzaiti, Muziti, Muzura, Mwiha, Ocotea Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Concrete formwork, Domestic flooring, Exterior uses, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Paneling , Paneling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status unknown due to inadequate information Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The species occurs predominantly in Kenya and Tanzania, and sparsely in Uganda. It grows in montane forests at elevations of 3000 to 9000 feet (915 to 2745 m). Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Pink Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Dark brown Pale brown Light reddish-brown to yellowish-brown Greenish to greyish Darkens after prolonged exposure Sapwood Color Yellow Paler than heartwood Same as heartwood Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Even Closed Wavy Stripe (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Straight Wavy Striped figure Grain is typically interlocked, producing an attractive striped figure on quartersawn surfaces. Texture Coarse Medium Fine to medium Medium Fine Luster Medium Lustrous Sometimes lustrous but not always Natural Durability Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Durable Moderately durable Heartwood susceptible to attack by termites Heartwood susceptible to attack by marine borers Heartwood has high natural resistance to decay The sapwood is rarely attacked by powder-post beetles. Odor Wood has a characteristic camphor scent The wood has a characteristic camphor scent and is not recommended for use in kitchen applications such as draining boards. Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=G US=T8B3/T5B1 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying (speed) is fast T8-B3 (4/4); T5-B1 (8/4) US Schedule G (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Checking Distortion Slight end splitting Slight surface checking No twisting or warping No end splitting Moderate spring/bow Moderate cupping May warp and twist during drying The timber may warp and twist if conditions are not carefully controlled during air-seasoning. Ease of Drying Slowly Easy Difficult May require additional care to minimize defects Air dries and kiln dries slowly with minimal degrade Radial = 2.5% Shrinkage from Green to 12% MC Tangential = 4.0% Thicker dimension quartersawn stock require special attention, since it is very difficult to remove moisture from the center. Kiln Drying Rate Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) 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 buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Some boles may be of very poor form. Comments Lumber Selection - Careful selection of straight-grained lumber is essential since some trees produce boles of very poor form. Timber from such trees contain twisted grain, which affects many wood properties and limits its uses. Although they often have rotten cores, selection of large logs has been recommended since they can produce boards with wider dimensions Blunting Effect Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Satisfactory (60+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results) Easy Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low cutting resistance Cutting resistance is low, and the timber responds satisfactorily to cross-cutting and narrow bandsawing. Gluing Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Special care recommended A reduced cutting angled has been suggested for quartersawn material with interlocked grain to prevent tearing. Movement in Service Small Stable The wood is dimensionally stable, and holds its shape well after seasoning. Nailing Easy to nail Fair nailing properties Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Special attention required Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane East African cottonwood is generally easy to work with ordinary machine tools, but quartered material containing interlocked grain should be planed with a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Slight dulling effect on cutting edges Responds well to hand tools Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing yields good results Routing is easy Sanding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good sanding finish Screwing Satisfactory screwing properties Easy to screw Turning Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory response to turning Good results Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Moderate Steam bending qualities are inferior to those of some well known steam bending timbers such as Beech, Ash, and Oak. The wood may distort during bending and setting, and results are less than satisfactory in knotty material Painting Good results Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Polishes and finishes very well Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Stains well Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = low Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high East African camphorwood is described as a medium-weight timber with extremely good strength-to-weight ratio and high durability. It is low in stiffness and resistance to shock loads, but has medium strength in crushing. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8744 13541 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Hardness 938 lbs Impact Strength 25 27 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4153 6928 psi Shearing Strength 1923 psi Stiffness 1293 1537 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 7 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.53 Weight 36 35 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 614 952 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Hardness 425 kg Impact Strength 63 68 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 291 487 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 135 kg/cm2 Stiffness 90 108 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.53 Weight 576 560 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 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 Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London 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. Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76 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 Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Lamb, G.N.,1951,Foreign Woods - Black Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum, Banuyo,(Wallaceodendron celebicum, East African Camphor (Ocatea usambarensis,,Supa (Sindora supa) and Sepetir (Sindora Sp.,Wood and Wood Products 56(12) pp44-5 Lavers, G.M. 1967. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50 (Spersedes Bulletin No. 45). 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) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp. Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115 Tack, C.H.,1953,Plywood and veneer species,Forest Department, Uganda. Technical Note 5/1953 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,1961,Utilisation Properties of Second Growth Camphor,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Technical Note,No.27 Tanzania Forest Department,1966,Flooring Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika Tanzania Forest Division,1965,Ocotea usambarensis (E.African Camphorwood,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 Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28 Titmuss, F.H. 1965. Commercial Timbers of the World. Third Edition (Enlarged of A Concise Encyclopedia of World Timbers). The Technical Press Ltd., London. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing: Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC, Plants Program, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13