Scientific Name
Afrocrania volkensii
Trade Name
Chumnalilet
Family Name
Cornaceae
Synonyms
Cornus volkensii
Common Names
Chumnalilet, Kalkalter, Kamnyalilet, Kasakiga, Mugonyone, Mukorombosi, Mushemeki, Musonganyonyi, Muveneki, Muyandege, Saiit, Tasakiet, Torokoi, Tumbechi
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Plywood, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Black | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Luster
| Low |
Natural Durability
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack |
Light-Induced Color Change
| Darker |
Drying Defects
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Splitting |
Ease of Drying
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Slowly |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries slowly |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 40-50 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 50-60 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
Blunting Effect
| High to severe |
Boring
| Fairly easy to very easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Mortising
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Nailing
| Holds nails well |
Planing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work |
Sanding
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Screwing
| Screwing yields good results |
Turning
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Veneering Qualities
| Veneers moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Veneers easily | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for slicing | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Good gluing qualities | ||||||||||||
| Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits | ||||||||||||
| Bolt preparation requires steaming |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 6111 | 9589 | psi |
| Density | 35 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1560 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1358 | 1568 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 34 | 27 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 7 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 429 | 674 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 560 | kg/m3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 275 | 449 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 109 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 95 | 110 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 544 | 432 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % |
References
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
Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London
Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda
France – C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France
Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa
Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda
Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya