Scientific Name
Uapaca kirkana
Trade Name
Chilundu
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Common Names
Chilundu, Kabofa, Lihobohdoo, Mahobohobo, Mpotopoto, Msuku, Muhaka, Muhobohobo, Mushuku, Musuku, Mutongoro, Muzhanje, Muzhanzhi, Umhobohobo, Wild loquat
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Carvings, Charcoal, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Light construction, Poles, Shingles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Pale pink brown | ||||||||||||
| Golden brown with a reddish cast |
Sapwood Color
| Color not distinct from heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Variable (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Variable figure | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack |
Odor
| Has an odor |
Kiln Schedules
| Dry at a slow speed |
Drying Defects
| Splitting | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Collapse | ||||||||||||
| Distortion |
Ease of Drying
| Thick Stock Requires Care | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 40-50 m |
Certified Source
| Certified Source |
Blunting Effect
| Moderate |
Boring
| Fairly difficult to very difficult |
Carving
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Cutting Resistance
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Gluing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Mortising
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Moulding
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Movement in Service
| Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement |
Nailing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Holds nails well |
Planing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Easy to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Permeable sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Screwing
| Fair to Good Results |
Turning
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Steam Bending
| Poor to Very Poor Results |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Staining
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Varnishing
| Good results |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 40 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Weight | 39 | 31 | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 641 | kg/m3 |
References
Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9
Pardy, A.A.,1951,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia – Uapaca kirkiana,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1582
Storrs, A.E.G.,1979,Know your Trees – Some of the Common Trees found in Zambia,Zambia Forestry Department, Ndola
White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London