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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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resin Content 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 Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Olea hochstetteri Trade Name East African olive Family Name Oleaceae Synonyms Olea hochstetteri Common Names Black ironwood, East African olive, Ironwood, Ironwood olive, Kiptakeriondu, Masaieta, Murakoiwa, Musat, Musharagi, Musharangi, Musherage, Musheragi, Muthat, Ngiwe, Ngwe, Ol-toliondo, Olive, Olmasi Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia Common Uses Agricultural implements, Axles, Bearings & bushings, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Brush backs & handles, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sculpture, Shipbuilding, Specialty items, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions. Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Vulnerable in Uganda and the Ivory coast Distribution Overview The species is reported be found in montane rain forests at altitudes of 6000 to 9000 feet (1830 to 2745 m). They are common in Kenya and parts of Zaire, but are less frequently found in Uganda and Tanzania Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Red Green/grey Orange Pale brown Greenish to greyish Dark brown Brown Black Occasional dark streaks Occasional brown streaks Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White to yellow Well defined Pinkish Paler than heartwood Pale yellow Different than heartwood Grain Interlocked Straight Distinct (figure) Figure Closed Even Wavy Interlocked Straight Distinct figure Wavy Texture Fine Coarse Medium Even or uniform Uniform Fine Medium coarse to coarse Even textured Luster Low High Medium Dull Natural Durability Durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Moderately durable Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Perishable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Heartwood susceptible to attack by termites Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi The heartwood has little natural resistance to decay fungi, and is susceptible to attack by termites and white ants (Isoptera). Odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content Contains resin The wood contains resin which is usually secreted during steaming Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US Schedule E; United Kingdom Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Checking Severe surface checking Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Severe cupping Severe end splitting Slight end splitting Severe twisting/warping Rapid drying may cause honeycombing Moderate twist/warp Expect splits Checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Dry slowly and carefully to minimize degrade Radial - 4.0% Shrinkage Values (Green to 12% MC) Tangential - 6.5% Kiln Drying Rate Rapid Naturally dries quickly Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 10-20 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm It develops boles that are seldom straight and heavily fluted Product Sources Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium blunting effect on tools Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Difficult The slightly interlocked grain is reported to affect boring properties. The wood generally responds well to machine tools to yield smooth, clean surfaces Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw 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 difficult Seasoned wood is less difficult to convert than green wood. Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Material mortises well Interlocked grain effects mortising Good response to ordinary machine tools Wood containing interlocked grain is more difficult to work Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Good finishing results The timber has a tendency to chatter in moulding operations. A French head and collars are most suitable for moulding the wood Movement in Service Large Not stable/prone to move Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Difficult to nail Possible if prebored Pre-boring recommended Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Special attention required Interlocked grain makes wood fairly difficult to plane A 20 degree planing angle and increased load on pressure bars and shoes is recommended to avoid vibration Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Resistance to Splitting Very Poor Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Difficult to machine Variable qualities Somewhat difficult to work with hand tools Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Routs to yield clean surfaces Material containing interlocked grain may be difficult to work Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Straight grained material sands quite easily Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Possible if prebored Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Good results Excellent Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Steam Bending Moderate Good Painting Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Polishes and finishes very well Staining Very good staining properties Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Takes varnish well Good results Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Hardness (side grain) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = small Hardness (side grain) = very hard Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Very heavy Very hard Very dense Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = very small Resists denting and marring Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very high It is far stronger, for example, than Hard maple, White oak, or Teak. It is very hard, and may be difficult to process with ordinary tools. It is very resistant to wear Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 14080 22267 psi Density 53 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2676 lbs Impact Strength 49 53 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 6959 10669 psi Shearing Strength 2990 psi Stiffness 2172 2590 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 17 25 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.65 0.81 Weight 54 53 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 989 1565 kg/cm2 Density 849 kg/m3 Hardness 1213 kg Impact Strength 124 134 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 489 750 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 210 kg/cm2 Stiffness 152 182 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 1.19 1.75 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.65 0.81 Weight 865 849 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % 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 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 Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2 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 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda 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.,1954,Hardwoods for Industrial Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet, No.48 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 Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department HMSO. 1972. 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. 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 Kaiser, Jo-Ann. Wood of the Month: Olive - An Ancient, Peaceful Species. Wood & Wood Products, June, 1992. Page 40. Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan 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. 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. Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC 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 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 South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1 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 Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14 Tanzania Forest Department,1966,Flooring Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika Tanzania Forest Division,1963,Maesopsis eminii (Musizi,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,1966,Olea hochstetteri (East African Olive,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika 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 Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28 Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Uganda Forest Department,1954,Flooring Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.17 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