Scientific Name
Curtisia faginea
Trade Name
Asgaai
Family Name
Cornaceae
Synonyms
Curtisia dentata
Common Names
Asgaai, Assagai, Assagaiwood, Assegai, Assegai tree, Cape lancewood, Curtisea, Moodalaqweene, Mubotjo, Muchekamani, Nmnoiso, Umguna, Umgxina, Umnoiso, Zulu
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
South Africa, Zimbabwe
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels
Heartwood Color
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure | ||||||||||||
| Brown |
Sapwood Color
| Paler than heartwood |
Grain
| Weak (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even |
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine |
Natural Durability
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Durable |
Kiln Schedules
| UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 |
Drying Defects
| Severe end splitting |
Ease of Drying
| Difficult |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is not buttressed |
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Nailing
| Possible if prebored |
Planing
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Easy to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to machine |
Screwing
| Possible if prebored |
Turning
| Easy to turn |
Polishing
| Satisfactory results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Varnishing
| Good results |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = hard | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 11016 | 17122 | psi |
| Density | 53 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 2318 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 6899 | 9945 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 2205 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 2041 | 2351 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 52 | 42 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 774 | 1203 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 849 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 1051 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 485 | 699 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 155 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 143 | 165 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 833 | 673 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % |
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
Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]
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
Chalk, L. et al.,1935,Fifteen South African High Forest Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 3
Goldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9
Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa
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
Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36
Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3
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