Scientific Name
Garcinia gerrardii
Trade Name
Muchasi
Family Name
Guttiferae
Common Names
Muchasi, Munyawa, Musuanandui, Mutachiru
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, South Africa
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Mine timbers, Poles, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Toys
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Green/Grey |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine |
Natural Growth Defects
| Brittleheart is rare or absent. When present, it is sparse in amount |
Natural Durability
| Resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable |
Drying Defects
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp | ||||||||||||
| Moderate spring/bow |
Ease of Drying
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is unknown |
Blunting Effect
| Little |
Boring
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy to very easy |
Carving
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Moulding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Planing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Sapwood is moderately resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Responds Readily | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to machine |
Routing & Recessing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Sanding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Turning
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Steam Bending
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Varnishing
| Good results |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 9310 | 14566 | psi |
| Density | 53 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 5905 | 8762 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1989 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1665 | 1923 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 52 | 42 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 6 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 654 | 1024 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 849 | kg/m3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 415 | 616 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 139 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 117 | 135 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 833 | 673 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 6 | % |
References
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
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
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
Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya