Melia azedarach (Persian lilac)

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Scientific Name
Melia azedarach

Trade Name
Persian lilac

Family Name
Meliaceae

Common Names
Albero di paternoster, Alelaila, Aleli, Alilaila, Anesita, Arbol de paternoster, Arbre de paternoster, Bakain, Bakayan, Bead tree, Beadtree, Belile, Bere, Bevu, Bitan, Bois rouge, Cape lilac, Chein, Chinaberry, Chinaberry lilaila, Chinaberry tree, Chinatree, Cinamomo, Cinnamomo, Dakain, Darachik, Darachk, Deknoi, Denkan, Drek, Embora, Flor de paraiso, Geringging, Hoop tree, Hutchu bevu, Indian lilac, Jacinto, Jempinis, Kachein, Kemel, Lamoa, Lelah, Lemua, Lila, Lilac, Lilas, Mallay vembu, Mementi, Menga, Mera, Mindi, Nim wood, Paraiso, Paternoster boom, Paternoster tree, Paternosterbaum, Paternostertra, Paternostertree, Pejri, Persian lilac, Tamaga, Tamaya, Taraka vepa, Thamaya, Turaka vepa, Vembu, White cedar, Yerri vepa

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Australia, Burma, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Sri Lanka, United States

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Fixtures, Floor lamps, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matches, Medicinal use, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Rafters, Roofing, Rustic furniture, Shakes, Shingles, Siding, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural plywood, Tables , Toys, Turnery, Utility furniture, Utility plywood, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Windows

Environmental Profile

Status has not been officially assessed

Distribution Overview
The species is native to the Himalayan region and elsewhere in southeast Asia but it has been successfully cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world as an ornamental. It is also a naturalized species in the United States, and is found from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and north to southeastern Oklahoma. It also grows in California. The tree is often found close to dwellings, in open areas, and sometimes in forests. It prefers to grow in dry soils.

Heartwood Color

Brown
Pale red when freshly cut, but ages to a rich red color
Not always clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Different than heartwood
Becomes bright red, coral pink with dark streaks, purplish-brown, or black with age

It is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide in the mature tree

Grain

Straight
Interlocked
Figure
Wavy
Stripe (figure)
Closed
Even
Distinct (figure)
Green/grey
Yellow
Black
Red
Orange
Reddish brown
Red
Pale red to pink
Pale brown
Darkens to reddish-brown upon exposure
Areas of spring wood pores are marked with dark lines

Sapwood Color

White

 

Straight
Interlocked
Wavy
Striped figure
Distinct figure

The grain is typically straight. Material with slightly irregular grain exhibits a particularly interesting grain pattern on quartersawn surfaces.

Texture

Medium
Fine
Fine to medium
Fine
Medium
Fair to medium coarse

Luster

Lustrous
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish

Grain

Straight
Growth rings (figure)
Figure
Interlocked
Even

 

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Interlocked
Dull
Pronounced
Medium

Natural Durability

Very durable
Resistant to termites
Resistant to marine borers
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Very durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Quartersawn surface show attractive figure
Occasionally interlocked, but not always
Generally straight, but not always

Texture

Medium
Fine
Coarse
Uneven
Medium coarse to coarse

Luster

Medium
Lustrous
Pronounced

Natural Growth Defects

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Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Highly resistant to decay

The timber is prone to blue-stain, has high resistance to acids and is usually used in the untreated condition

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules

Dry at a slow speed
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow

Drying Defects

Checking

Natural Durability

Very durable
Non-durable
Durable
Perishable
Moderately durable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Susceptible to insect attack
Non durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Durable
Perishable
Moderately durable
Slight surface checking
Moderate twist/warp
Expect resin/gum exudation
Moderate end spitting
Slight end splitting
Slight twist/warp
Severe end splitting

Warping and twisting may occur during drying. There may also be occasional checking but these close up tightly at the end of kiln-drying.

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy
Slowly
Moderate
Difficult
Variable results.
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Highly resistant to decay and wood destroying insects

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Light-Induced Color Change

Darker

Toxicity

Dermatitic effects
Unspecified toxicity
Sawdust may cause headaches
Respiratory effects

Drying Defects

Splitting
Easy

Both 1-inch and 2-inch (25 and 50 mm) boards are reported to kiln-dry fairly rapidly from the green condition despite very high initial moisture contents (up to 200%). Drying time can be reduced considerably if stock is air-seasoned to 30% moisture content before kilning

Kiln Drying Rate

Naturally dries slowly
Rapid
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)
Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is not buttressed

Tree Size

Tree height is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Checking
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
No twisting or warping
No surface checking
Moderate end spitting

Ease of Drying

Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Slowly
Easy
Air-dries rather well

Kiln Drying Rate

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Naturally dries slowly
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

The trees are tall, attaining heights of 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m) and trunk diameters of up to 48 inches (120 cm), but usually between 18 and 36 inches (45 and 90 cm).

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber production from this species is regular. The material is exported at a low but regular rate.

Supplies are ample, but the wood is fairly expensive. It costs more than mahogany but less than teak. Although it has not found wide demand, Purpleheart is available on the US market in both the lumber and veneer forms.

Limited quantities of Purpleheart in long lengths and wide boards are available on the European market at prices that are comparable to those of medium cost hardwoods. For construction use, Purpleheart is available for shipping in the dry condition only

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Mechanical properties of the wood are reported to lie somewhere between those of Greenheart (Ocotea ) and Oak (Quercus ). It has exceptional tolerance for shock loading. Purpleheart is highly desired by hobbyists and craftsmen who use the hard heavy wood in small projects. To protect against ultra-violet fading, a coat of Armorall, a car finish product, under a lacqeur application has been suggested. The treatment is reported to hold the color of the wood rather well against fading

Blunting Effect

High to severe
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Blunting effect on machining is severe

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is not buttressed

Tree Size

Bark width is 10-15 mm
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Bole length is 20-30 m

Product Sources
The tree is not abundant and is of little commercial value as source of lumber. Its distribution in the United states is confined to a small area, and lumber supplies are rather limited because the wood is seldom sold commercially.

Comments
Bark, fruit, and leaves are used for medicinal purposes

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Boring

Moderately easy

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe

The wood has some blunting effect on cutting tools

Boring

Fairly easy to very easy
Use very sharp cutting edges to prevent grain from tearing
Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results)
Easy
Difficult

Cutting Resistance

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Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Easy to saw

Gluing

Easy to glue
Good gluing properties

Mortising

Finishes satisfactorily

Nailing

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Low cutting resistance because of softness

Gum in the wood may pose problems.

Gluing

Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Glues well

Mortising

Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moderately easy to mortise
Easy to mortise

The wood requires very sharp cutting edges for smoothly machined surfaces

Moulding

Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to nail
Good nailing properties

Planing

Planes well, to a good finish
Tearing may be considerable
Easy to plane

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is resistant

Resistance to Splitting

Poor

Response to Hand Tools

Easy to Work
Fair to Good Results
Moulding ease is moderate
Good finishing results
Easy to mould

Moulding properties are generally good in straight-grained material, especially if cutters are kept sharp. Wood containing wavy or interlocked grain tends to be difficult to mould

Movement in Service

Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement
Excellent Stability – Small Movement
Medium

Nailing

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-Boring Recommended
Easy to nail
Pre-Boring is necessary
Easy to machine
Good response

Sanding

Good sanding finish

Screwing

Easy to screw

Turning

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor results

Veneering Qualities

Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
Easy to cut
Suitable for slicing
Possible if prebored
Holds nails well

Planing

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to plane
Ease of planing is moderate
Planes well, to a good finish
Hard, heavy wood dulls cutting edges severely

High density and gummy resin content are reported to make Purpleheart less than easy to work in most machining operations. Sharp, high-speed steel knives, as well as 15 degree cutting angles have been recommended. Material with interlocked or wavy grain are especially difficult to plane and mould

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood
Suitable for peeling
No steaming needed during bolt preparation.
Good gluing qualities

Polishing

Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Requires a filler

Staining

Fair to Good Results
Good staining properties
Finish is generally good

Strength Properties

28″>

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Resistant sapwood
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Heartwood is resistant

Resistance to Splitting

Poor

Response to Hand Tools

Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Moderate working qualities
Difficult to machine
Variable qualities
Responds very well to hand tools
Easy to machine

Routing &ampn

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Routing yields good results
Responds well to very sharp cutting tools
Moderately easy

Sanding

Good sanding finish
Easy to sand

Screwing

Easy to screw

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to turn
Good results

Turning operations are easier with sharp cutters

Veneering Qualities

Easy to cut
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Weight = light
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Moderately resists denting and marring
Max. crushing”28″>

Steam Bending

Fair to Good Results
Steaming can affect the color of the wood
Moderate

Polishing

Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory results
Material takes a high polish
Good results

Staining

Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally satisfactory
Takes most finishes well
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Density = high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Numerical Data

Item Green Dry English
Bending Strength 8285 12207 psi
Crushing Strength 598 1009 psi
Density 34 lbs/ft3
Hardness 1133 lbs
Impact Strength 50 45 inches
Maximum Crushing Strength 3352 5805 psi
Shearing Strength 1978 psi
Static Bending 4773 6350 psi
Stiffness 1121 1289 1000 psi
Work to Maximum Load 11 14 inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity 0.45 0.51
Weight 36 34 lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage 4 %
Tangential Shrinkage 8 %
Volumetric Shrinkage 13 %
Item Green Dry Metric
Bending Strength

Spirit finishes are reported to take away the purple coloring. Wax is the only recommended finish if the rich natural color is to be preserved.

Varnishing

Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory

Strength Properties

Bending strength (MOR) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Max. crushing strength = very high
Max. crushing strength = high
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high 582 858 kg/cm2
Crushing Strength 42 70 kg/cm2
Density 544 kg/m3
Hardness 513 kg
Impact Strength 126 114 cm
Maximum Crushing Strength 235 408 kg/cm2
Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2
Static Bending 335 446 kg/cm2
Stiffness 78 90 1000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load 0.77 0.98 cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity 0.45 0.51
Weight 576 544 kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage 4 %
Tangential Shrinkage 8 %

References
Australia – N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1

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

Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75

Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers – The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Bolza, E. and N.H. Kloot. 1963. The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No. 25. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1963,The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.25

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 3 Southern Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Chen, C.L.,1962,The Physical Properties of 101 Chinese Woods,Forest Products Journal 12(7) pp339-42

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Chu, Y.P.,1969,Some basic strength properties of 22 timbers from Christmas Island,Malaysian Forester 32(2) pp201-2

Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15

E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3

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Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

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

Kline, M. 1984. Melia azedarach – Chinaberry. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 233.

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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.

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Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees – Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

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

Rawat, B. S., Rawat, N. S., Sekhar, A. C., Bhatnager, S. S. 1957. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Timbers Tested at the Forest Research Institute, Report XI. Indian Forest Records, Timber Mechanics Branch, Volume 1 No. 12, Dehra Dun, India

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Tamolang, F.N., Martawijaya, A., Kartasujana, I., Kadir, K., Parwira, S.,1992,Indonesian Wood Atlas Volume II,Department of Forestry, Agency for Forestry Research and Development,,Bogor-Indonesia

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