Scientific Name
Julbernardia globiflora
Trade Name
Mchenga
Family Name
Leguminosae
Synonyms
Pseudoberlinia globiflora, Isoberlinia globiflora
Common Names
Mchenga, Mgombo, Mpanate, Msima, Muba, Muimbi, Munondo, Musima, Muwa
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Piling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels
Environmental Profile
| Vulnerable | ||||||||||||
| Abundant/Secure |
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Black | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Green/Grey | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow | ||||||||||||
| Well defined | ||||||||||||
| Pinkish | ||||||||||||
| Different than heartwood |
Grain
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Stripe (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Weak (figure) |
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Weak figure | ||||||||||||
| Striped figure |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium coarse to coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Luster
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous |
Natural Durability
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to wood staining fungal attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log | ||||||||||||
| Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) often present in the heartwood |
Odor
| Has an odor |
Toxicity
| Some toxic effects |
Kiln Schedules
| Dry at a slow speed | ||||||||||||
| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow |
Drying Defects
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Splitting | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Moderate surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Severe twisting/warping | ||||||||||||
| Moderate end spitting | ||||||||||||
| Slight surface checking | ||||||||||||
| Slight end splitting | ||||||||||||
| Moderate twist/warp | ||||||||||||
| Moderate spring/bow |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Slowly | ||||||||||||
| Reconditioning Treatement |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries quickly | ||||||||||||
| Naturally dries slowly | ||||||||||||
| Naturally dries at a moderate speed | ||||||||||||
| Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight | ||||||||||||
| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 0-5 cm | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 5-10 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
Blunting Effect
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is severe |
Boring
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy to very easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult |
Carving
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Surface Preparation | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Carefully Controlled Conditions |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to mortise |
Moulding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to mould |
Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Nailing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Possible if prebored | ||||||||||||
| Holds nails well |
Planing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is moderately resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is highly resistant | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is permeable |
Resistance to Splitting
| Poor |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Responds Readily | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to machine |
Routing & Recessing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Sanding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Screwing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Poor results |
Steam Bending
| Moderate |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory results |
Staining
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Finish is generally satisfactory |
Varnishing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61 – 67 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53 – 60 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Work to Maximum Load = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Toughness (total work) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = very hard | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = hard |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 11443 | 17761 | psi |
| Density | 55 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 2305 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 6302 | 9236 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 2284 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1944 | 2240 | 1000 psi |
| Toughness | 250 | inch-lbs | |
| Work to Maximum Load | 9 | 12 | inch-lbs/in3 |
| Weight | 54 | 44 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 804 | 1248 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 881 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 1045 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 443 | 649 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 160 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 136 | 157 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Toughness | 288 | cm-kg | |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.63 | 0.84 | cm-kg/cm3 |
| Weight | 865 | 705 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % |
References
Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48
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
Bryce, J. and Kitambi, G.,1960,The Air-drying Properties of some Tanganyika Timbers Technical Note No 23,Tanganyika Forest Department Utilisation Division Technical Note
Bryce, J.M.,1967,Commercial Timbers of Tanzania,Tanzanian Forestry Division Util. Sec. Moshi
Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.
Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment
Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)
Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 – 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.
Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa
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 Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi
Tanzania Forestry Department,1966,Timbers of Tanganyika – Julbernardia globiflora,Tanzania Forestry Department, Utilisation Section, Moshi – Timbers of,Tanganyika