Scientific Name
Beilschmiedia tawa
Trade Name
Tawa
Family Name
Lauraceae
Synonyms
Nesodaphne tawa, Laurus tawa
Common Names
Tawa
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
New Zealand
Common Uses
Cooperages, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Millwork, Paneling, Plywood, Turnery, Veneer
Heartwood Color
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish |
Sapwood Color
| Color not distinct from heartwood | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine to medium |
Luster
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Dull |
Natural Durability
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable |
Silica Content
| Moderate silica contact |
Drying Defects
| Slight surface checking |
Ease of Drying
| Easy |
Tree Size
| Bole length is 10-20 m |
Product Sources
The ITTO reports that negligible quantities of timber are produced and exported from this species. Exporting countries include Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and the Cameroons.
Blunting Effect
| Blunting effect on machining is moderate |
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Movement in Service
| Small |
Nailing
| Difficult to nail | ||||||||||||
| Pre-boring recommended |
Planing
| Difficult to plane | ||||||||||||
| Ease of planing is moderate |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is permeable |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Screwing
| Possible if prebored |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Polishing
| Satisfactory results |
Staining
| Finish is generally satisfactory |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 8670 | 13570 | psi |
| Density | 44 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1160 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 4218 | 6664 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1883 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1543 | 1781 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 43 | 34 | lbs/ft3 |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 11 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 609 | 954 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 705 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 526 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 296 | 468 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 132 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 108 | 125 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 689 | 544 | kg/m3 |
References
Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.
Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO
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
Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press