Scientific Name
Agathis vitiensis
Trade Name
Fijian kauri
Family Name
Araucariaceae
Common Names
Dakua, Dakua makadre, Fiji kauri, Fijian kauri, Ndakua makandre
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji
Common Uses
Balusters, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: masts, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chemical containers, Coffins, Decks, Food containers, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Oars, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Xylophones
Environmental Profile
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
A close relative of New Zealand Kauri (Agathis australis), the species grows in the Fiji islands.
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish white | ||||||||||||
| Light brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Paler than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Different than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Color not distinct from heartwood |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Mottle | ||||||||||||
| Weak (figure) |
| Generally straight, but not always | ||||||||||||
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Mottled or streaked figure sometimes |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Even or uniform | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Uniform |
Luster
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| High | ||||||||||||
| Often lustrous | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Durability
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood not resistant to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack by marine borers and termites | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack and tends to decay rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present | ||||||||||||
| Perishable |
Odor
| No specific smell or taste |
Kiln Schedules
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid | ||||||||||||
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid | ||||||||||||
| T10 – D5s (4/4); T8 – D4s (8/4) US/T10 – D5s (4/4); T8 – D4s (8/4) US |
Drying Defects
| Collapse | ||||||||||||
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Discoloration | ||||||||||||
| Internal Honeycombing Possible | ||||||||||||
| Distortion (twist/warp) is likely | ||||||||||||
| Collapse and honeycomb in heartwood is possible due to mineral stains and wetwood. |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Medium to High Shrinkage | ||||||||||||
| Reconditioning Treatement | ||||||||||||
| Requires special attention | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Stains easily | ||||||||||||
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Easy | ||||||||||||
| Dip treat with anti-stain solution soon after conversion and before stacking. |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast | ||||||||||||
| Rapid | ||||||||||||
| Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is not buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm |
Comments
Abnormal Wood Tissue
Blunting Effect
| Little | ||||||||||||
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| There is some significant blunting effect on cutting tools |
Boring
| Fairly easy to very easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy |
Easy to bore but stock must be properly supported at the tool exit to prevent defects
Carving
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to carve |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Low resistance to sawing |
Gluing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderate gluing properties |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Finishes well | ||||||||||||
| Support material during mortising to prevent break out. |
Moulding
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Good moulding properties | ||||||||||||
| Good finishing results |
Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement | ||||||||||||
| Stable | ||||||||||||
| Holds shape well |
Nailing
| Pre-Boring Recommended | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Variable, from difficult to satisfactory | ||||||||||||
| Pre-boring recommended | ||||||||||||
| Holds nails well | ||||||||||||
| Easy to nail | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to nail |
Planing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Planes well, to a good finish |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood has low permeability | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant |
Resistance to Splitting
| Poor |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Responds Readily | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine | ||||||||||||
| Responds well to hand tools |
Routing & Recessing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Routing is easy |
Sanding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to sand |
Screwing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Very good screw holding qualities | ||||||||||||
| Easy to screw |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to turn | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to turn |
Veneering Qualities
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Veneers easily | ||||||||||||
| Veneers moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Easy to cut | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts |
Steam Bending
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Moderate |
Painting
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Little or no surface prep required | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| High polish |
Staining
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Stains well |
Varnishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = very soft | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low |
Toughness (total work) = medium
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 7462 | 12743 | psi |
| Crushing Strength | 534 | 1024 | psi |
| Density | 33 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 842 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 28 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3868 | 6919 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1789 | psi | |
| Static Bending | 4136 | 7918 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1457 | 1715 | 1000 psi |
| Toughness | 225 | inch-lbs | |
| Work to Maximum Load | 12 | 17 | inch-lbs/in3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.37 | ||
| Weight | 32 | 26 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 7 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 524 | 895 | kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength | 37 | 71 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 528 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 381 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 71 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 271 | 486 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 125 | kg/cm2 | |
| Static Bending | 290 | 556 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 102 | 120 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Toughness | 259 | cm-kg | |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.84 | 1.19 | cm-kg/cm3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.37 | ||
| Weight | 512 | 416 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % |
References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No. 2
Alston, A.S.,1982,Timbers of Fiji: Properties and potential uses,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva
Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods -Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Budgen, B.,1981,Shrinkage and density of some Australian and South-East Asian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. building Res. Tech Paper(2nd Series) No.38
Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.
Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London
Eddowes, P. J. 1961. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea:Their Properties and Uses. Office of Forests, Papua New Guinea
Fiji Department of Forestry,1969,A Summary of the Properties of 34 Indigenous Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.38
Fiji Department of Forestry,1972,Guide to the use of local timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.55
Fiji Forestry Department,1966,The Properties and Potential uses of Dakua makadre (Agathis vitiensis) A,Summary of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and Their Uses No.8, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji
Fiji Forestry Department,1967,The Properties and Potential Uses of Buabua (Fagraea gracilipes) A Summary,of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No. 14, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji
Fiji Forestry Department,1981,The Properties and Uses of 43 Indigenous and Exotic Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.71
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
Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1
Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.
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.,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)
U.K. – Colonial Forest Resources Development Department,1939,British Colonial Timbers – Woods recommended for Various Uses,Colonial Forest Resources Development Department,London