Scientific Name
Heritiera javanica
Trade Name
Mengkulang
Family Name
Sterculiaceae
Synonyms
Tarrietia javanica, Tarrietia simplicifolia
Common Names
Balia, Balung ayam, Buhanan, Cerlang laut, Choboch, Chopwoch, Chumplak, Chumpraek, Chumprag, Chumprak, Dungon, Dungun, Dungun gungung, Dungun-dungun, Galumpit, Gelupang batu, Geremo, Huynh, Jumit, Kalampe, Kalumpang asok, Kanze, Kembang, Kemunyau, Kimeyong, Kipoleng, Lengkodang, Lesi-lesi, Lingan, Lumbayao, Lumbayau, Lumbayau-batu, Lumbayaubato, Lungulo, Lungun, Meaba, Mengkulang, Miaa, Palapi, Pelapi, Rorum, Rumu, Rungun, Tahungan, Teralin, Teraling, Tutubungan, Warasar
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hardboards, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Toys, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels
Environmental Profile
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
Cambodia, mainly.
Heartwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Whitish | ||||||||||||
| Red/orange/bluish-pink/golden-brown | ||||||||||||
| Dark brown |
Sapwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Well defined | ||||||||||||
| Paler than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Different than heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Pale |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Rays (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Fiddleback (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Variable (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Rippled (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Rays figure | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Straight to deeply interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Rippled figure | ||||||||||||
| Irregular color | ||||||||||||
| Figure shows fiddleback | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure |
Texture
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Uniform | ||||||||||||
| Even or uniform | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Growth Defects
| Knots are occasionally present. | ||||||||||||
| Gum and mineral deposits | ||||||||||||
| Brittleheart sometimes present. |
Natural Durability
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Poor weathering properties | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood has very little natural resistance |
Odor
| Has an odor | ||||||||||||
| Unpleasant odor when first cut | ||||||||||||
| No specific taste | ||||||||||||
| No odor, generally. |
Silica Content
| Low |
Kiln Schedules
| T3 – D2 (4/4) US | ||||||||||||
| T3 – D1 (8/4) US | ||||||||||||
| Drying (speed) is fast |
Drying Defects
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Splitting | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Slight surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp |
Ease of Drying
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Thick Stock Requires Care | ||||||||||||
| Slowly | ||||||||||||
| Requires special attention | ||||||||||||
| Easy | ||||||||||||
| Radial and tangential shrinkage from 1-2% | ||||||||||||
| Dries rapidly with little degrade |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries quickly | ||||||||||||
| Naturally dries at a moderate speed |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is buttressed | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 40-50 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m |
Product Sources
Timber produced by this species is often mixed together and marketed with those of other Heritiera species and Red meranti and Red lauan produced by the Shorea genus.
Comments
Cells may contain dark gum-like deposits
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Blunting Effect
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| High to severe | ||||||||||||
| Severe | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on sawing green wood is severe | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is moderate | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe |
Boring
| Fairly easy to very easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to good results |
Carving
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Moderate to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory gluing properties |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Moulding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Movement in Service
| Seasoned wood is stable | ||||||||||||
| Movement after manufacture is small |
Nailing
| Pre-Boring Recommended | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Pre-boring recommended | ||||||||||||
| Tends to split during nailing |
Planing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Poor planing properties due to silica and irregular grain | ||||||||||||
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Planes to a satisfactory finish | ||||||||||||
| Ease of planing is moderate | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Permeable heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Permeable sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is moderately resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is moderately resistant |
Resistance to Splitting
| Poor |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Poor response due to silica & irregular grain | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Routing & Recessing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Sanding
| Good sanding qualities |
Screwing
| Pre-boring recommended | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Turning
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Poor results | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to turn |
Veneering Qualities
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for slicing | ||||||||||||
| Veneers easily | ||||||||||||
| Veneers moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Good gluing qualities | ||||||||||||
| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| No steaming needed during bolt preparation. | ||||||||||||
| Moderately easy to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Easy to cut | ||||||||||||
| Bolt preparation requires steaming |
Steam Bending
| Unsuitable |
Painting
| Paints well after filler | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Polishing
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Requires a filler |
Staining
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Staining is possible after filing | ||||||||||||
| Finish is generally satisfactory |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = high |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 10380 | 16695 | psi |
| Crushing Strength | 604 | 938. | psi |
| Density | 43 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Impact Strength | 31 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 4522 | 6904 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1883 | psi | |
| Static Bending | 5754 | 8971. | psi |
| Stiffness | 1485 | 1616 | 1000 psi |
| Work to Maximum Load | 12 | inch-lbs/in3 | |
| Specific Gravity | 0.51 | 0.65 | |
| Weight | 42 | 32 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 10 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 729 | 1173 | kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength | 42 | 65. | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 689 | kg/m3 | |
| Impact Strength | 78 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 317 | 485 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 132 | kg/cm2 | |
| Static Bending | 404 | 630. | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 104 | 113 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.84 | cm-kg/cm3 | |
| Specific Gravity | 0.51 | 0.65 | |
| Weight | 673 | 512 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | % |
References
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 4 South East Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.
Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers. Malayan Forest Records, 28(30):315-318.
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
Gueneau, P., Gueneau, D.,1969,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Malagaches,CTFT Madagascar
Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1
Lee, Y.H., Lopez, D.T.,1968,The Machining Properties of some Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester,3,pp194-210
Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records (New Series). Timber Mechanics. Volume 1 No. 4. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.
Martawijaya, A., Kadir, K., Kartasujana, I.,1986,Indonesian Wood Atlas. Vol.1.,Department of Forestry Agency for Forestry Research and Development.,Bogar-Indonesia
Menon, P.K.B.,1959,The wood anatomy of Malayan timbers: commercial timbers, 3. Light,hardwoods,Malaysian Forest Research Institute Kepong, Research Pamplet, No. 27.
Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7
Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.
Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand.