Scientific Name
Careya arborea
Trade Name
Asunda
Family Name
Lecythidaceae
Common Names
Asunda, Ayma, Bambwe, Banbwe, Boktok, Buda darini, Buda-durmi, Budatare, Careya, Combio, Dambel, Darepi, Dudippi, Gadava, Ganjal, Gaul, Gavuldu, Gumar, Gummar, Hpu-no, Ijar, Kabooay, Kadon, Kahatta, Kaval, Kuba, Kum, Kumbe, Kumbh, Kumbha, Kumbhi, Kumbi, Kumbia, Kumbir, Kumhi, Kummar, Mai-pinngo, Pailae, Patana oak, Pera, Perla, Perzha, Pilu, Poota-tammi, Poyn, Samgawngmaeot, Tagooyi, Thelawaw, Udu
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Afghanistan, Burma, India, Malaysia
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Axles, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Cabinetmaking, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Light construction, Mine timbers, Oars, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes
Heartwood Color
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown |
Sapwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse |
Luster
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Dull |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present |
Kiln Schedules
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a slow speed |
Drying Defects
| Severe surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Severe end splitting | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp |
Ease of Drying
| Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Figure Occurrence is variable |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) |
Kiln drying rate (green to 12% mc) is slow, longer than 28 days for a board under 32 mm, to more than 84 days for a board 63 mm and thicker
Tree Size
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult |
Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine | ||||||||||||
| Moderate working qualities |
Polishing
| Satisfactory results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Strength Properties
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 9310 | 14566 | psi |
| Density | 57 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Impact Strength | 34 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 5408 | 8171 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1358 | 1568 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 56 | 45 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 10 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 15 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 654 | 1024 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 913 | kg/m3 | |
| Impact Strength | 86 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 380 | 574 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 95 | 110 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 897 | 721 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 10 | % |
References
Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press
Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London
Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.
McCann, C.,1947,Trees of India: A Popular Handbook,D.B.Taraporevala Sons & Co. Bombay
Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9
Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols
Purkayastha, S.K.,1982,Indian woods: Their identifications, properties and uses, Vol. IV,Myrlacene to Symploceae,Controller of Publications, New Delhi
Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6
Whitmore, T.C.,1973,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 2,Forest Department Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia