Scientific Name
Hagenia abyssinica
Trade Name
Bondet
Family Name
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Brayera anthelmintica, Hagenia anthelmintica
Common Names
Bondet, Chagga of old moshi, Cousso, Cusso, Duchia, Edo, Fieto, Habbi, Hagenia, Hato, Heto, Ihangala, Kamonde, Kibongoto, Kikukwe, Kisichetwa, Kosso, Kossobaum, Kuso ag, Kuso tree, Leo, Masai, Mfoono, Mizeti, Mkumburu, Mlanga, Mokesi, Mrosirose, Mrozirozi, Mruziruzi, Mtulenya, Muchagachaga, Muchokachoka, Mugeti, Muhulisi, Muinyeri, Mujogajoga, Mukunzuti, Mumondo, Munyagondu, Museregego, Muweti, Muzeti, Muziziku, Mwanga, Mwisso, Nafuru, Ngivavi, Njororuet, Ol kijabe, Omujesi, Seweruwa, Shagaret el hhabbashiyah, Shagaret el kusu, Shawa, Sigurwa, Sokoruet
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative
Heartwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Weak (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine to medium |
Natural Durability
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable |
Kiln Schedules
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid | ||||||||||||
| Drying (speed) is fast | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a moderate speed | ||||||||||||
| UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 | ||||||||||||
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow | ||||||||||||
| Dry at a slow speed |
Drying Defects
| Moderate end spitting | ||||||||||||
| Slight end splitting | ||||||||||||
| Severe end splitting | ||||||||||||
| Severe cupping | ||||||||||||
| No twisting or warping | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp | ||||||||||||
| Moderate surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Moderate cupping |
Ease of Drying
| Easy |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) | ||||||||||||
| Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Boring
| Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Mortising
| Easy to mortise | ||||||||||||
| Finishes well |
Moulding
| Easy to mould | ||||||||||||
| Good finishing results |
Movement in Service
| Medium |
Nailing
| Difficult to nail | ||||||||||||
| Easy to nail |
Planing
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is extremely resistant | ||||||||||||
| Softwood is resistant |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to machine |
Turning
| Easy to turn | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Polishing
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Poor results |
Strength Properties
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = very small | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 7711 | 12078 | psi |
| Density | 37 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 995 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 28 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 2365 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1017 | 1199 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 36 | 29 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 542 | 849 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 592 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 451 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 71 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 275 | 449 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 166 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 71 | 84 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 576 | 464 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | % |
References
Battiscombe, E.,1926,A Descriptive Catalogue of some of the Common Trees and Woody Plants of,Kenya Colony,Crown Agents for the Colonies London
Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35
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
Brehme, K.,1964,Timbers of Ethiopia – No.4 Kuso tree (Hagenia abyssinica,Ethiopia Forest Research Institute, Haile Sellassie University, Addis,Ababa
Brenan, J.P.M., Greenway, P.J.,1949,Check-lists of the Forest Trees and Shrubs of the British Empire,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford No.5 Tanganyika Territories Part 2
Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi
Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda
Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38
Grant, D.K.S.,1934,Some Local Timbers,Tanzania Forest Department
Logan, W.E.M.,1946,An Introduction to the Forests of Central and Southern Ethiopia,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford Paper No.24
Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 – 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.
Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23
Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7
Tanzania Forest Department,1963,Hagenia abyssinica,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi – Timbers of Tanganyika
Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi
White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London
Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya