The Wood

Common Uses

Numeric Values

Tree Data
The tree is reported to attain a height of about 100 feet (30 m), with a trunk diameter of 40 inches (75 to 100 cm), sometimes larger. It develops boles with a moderate taper, are about 70 feet (21 M) long.

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is easily distinguishable, and is lighter in color than the heartwood.

Heartwood Color
The color of the heartwood is generally golden brown to red brown. Resin canals are reported to be numerous.

Grain
The grain is usually straight.

Texture
The texture is described as somewhat coarse.

Luster
The wood has medium luster.

Odor
The wood imparts a strong resinous odor.

Ease of Drying
The timber is reported to air-season rather slowly, with very little degradation.

Drying Defects
Timber in thicker sizes may split, and low-density plantation wood may warp slightly during drying.

Kiln Schedules
T10 – D4S (4/4); T8 – D3S (8/4) US

T/R Ratio
1.33
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values Window).

Natural Durability
Performance against attack by decay fungi is reported to be determined by the amount of resin in the wood. Heartwood resistance is rated as generally moderate, and could last up to 15 years in contact with the ground without any chemical protection. The sapwood is prone to blue-stain.

Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is reported to have moderate response to preservative penetration, but sapwood is reported to be highly permeable.

Abnormal Wood Tissue
Compression wood is reported to be common.

Cutting Resistance
The wood has low resistance to sawing although cutters may be gummed up due to the high resin content.

Planing
Planing properties are reported to be generally good.

Turning
The wood turns well, but resin may gum up cutters.

Molding
Molding characteristics are reported to be generally good.

Boring
The material is reported to respond well to boring.

Routing & Recessing
Routing qualities are reported to be generally good.

Mortising
The wood is reported to respond well to ordinary tools in mortising.

Carving
The material has good carving properties.

Gluing
The timber is reported to have satisfactory gluing properties.

Nailing
The wood is reported to take nails well.

Screwing
Screwing properties are rated as good.

Sanding
Sanding qualities are reported to be generally good.

Response to Hand Tools
The wood responds well to hand tools.

Strength Properties
This species has high bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). Maximum crushing strength, or compression parallel to grain in the air-dry condition, is also in the high range. It is fairly hard, resisting wear, denting, and marring fairly well. The wood is heavy and dense.