Scientific Name
Aesculus turbinata
Trade Name
Japanese buckeye
Family Name
Hippocastanaceae
Common Names
Japanese buckeye, Japanese horse chestnut, Tochi, Tochi-no-ki, Tochi-noki, Tochino-ki
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Japan
Common Uses
Food containers, Furniture, Musical instruments, Paneling, Veneer: decorative
Distribution Overview
Exclusively in Japan, in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| White to cream |
Sapwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Color not distinct from heartwood |
Grain
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Crossed | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Mottled (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Rippled (figure) |
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Rippled figure | ||||||||||||
| Mottled figure |
Distinct figure
Crossed
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Easy |
Tree Size
| Bole length is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to turn |
Veneering Qualities
| Difficult to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits | ||||||||||||
| Diifficult to veneer |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory results |
Staining
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Finish is generally satisfactory |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 32 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Weight | 31 | 26 | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 512 | kg/m3 |
References
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No.5 Philippines and Japan,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
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