Mesua ferrea (Gangaw) | The Wood Explorer

Scientific Name
Mesua ferrea

Trade Name
Gangaw

Family Name
Guttiferae

Synonyms
Mesua cocomandeliana, Mesua pedunculata, Mesua speciosa

Common Names
Atha, Behetta champagam, Boonnak, Bosneak, Bunnark, Churuli, Dieng-ngai, Gangau, Gangaw, Iron wood tree, Kawtanok, Kesaramu, Lenggapas, Mai-kam-kaw, Mai-ting, Mallay, Mesua, Nagachambagam, Nagachampa, Nagakesara, Nagasampige, Nagear, Nageshvaro, Nagkesar, Nahor, Naku, Nangal, Nangu, Ngai-ching, Nohar, Penaga, Peri, Rimpumara, Surili, Suruli, Vainavu, Vap, Vap nagasari, Veluthapala

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Crossties, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Lifeboats, Light construction, Matches, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Piling, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Roofing, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Structural work, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Wheelwright work

Environmental Profile

Status unknown in parts of its range

Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within significant parts of its range

Dark brown

Brown

The heartwood is initially dull brown, but it rapidly changes to a bright, vibrant purple. Prolonged exposure darkens the wood to a dark-purplish brown or dark brown, but the original color is easily restored by recutting to expose new wood. Color variation between boards is moderate to high. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration and steaming is reported to affect the color. Peltogyne timbers are reported to vary widely in color between, and probably within species

Sapwood Color

White

Brown

Green/Grey

Yellow

Well defined

White to yellow

Pinkish

Off-white

Creamy white

Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable within some parts of its original range.

Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

The population of this species is relatively secure within its habitat in most areas in its range including Malaysia, but it is officially classified as Rare in Sri Lanka, Vulnerable in Vietnam, and either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare in Bangladesh and Indonesia. Its environmental status in Myanmar

Distribution Overview
The genus Mesua is composed of trees that are widely distributed in India and Southeast Asia.

Heartwood Color

Brown

Yellow

Reddish brown

Purple

Dark brown

Dark streaks on longitudnal surfaces

Dark brown

Sapwood Color

White

Brown

Clearly differentiated from the heartwood

The color has also been described as pinkish cinnamon with light brown streaks, and is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide

Grain

Figure

Straight

Stripe (figure)

Interlocked

Even

Closed

Distinct (figure)

Other (figure)

Wavy

Straight

Striped figure

Red

White to yellow

Well defined

Pinkish

Light pink brown

Different than heartwood

Grain

Interlocked

Straight

Spiral

Even

Crossed

Interlocked

Wavy

Other figure

Generally straight, but not always

Distinct figure

The grain is typically straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular.

Texture

Fine

Medium

Fine

Fine to medium

Luster

Medium

Lustrous

Slightly lustrous

Straight

Spiral

Straight to interlocked

Texture

Medium

Fine

Fine to medium

Smooth

Fine

Even textured

Luster

High

Medium

Lustrous

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Pronounced

Medium to high

Natural Durability

Durable

Very durable

Susceptible to insect attack

Non-resistant to powder post beetles

Moderately durable

Resistant to marine borers

Resistant to powder post beetles

Very durable

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Durable

Medium

Natural Growth Defects

Yellowish deposits in vessels

Whitish deposits in vessels

Latex or other ducts

Natural Durability

Durable

Moderately durable

Durable

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Very durable

Moderately durable

Weathering properties are excellent

Highly resistant to decay and wood destroying insects

Very resistant to dry-wood termite attack

Slightly resistant to attack by marine borers

Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack

Highly resistant to attack by decay fungi

The wood is resistant to chemicals such as acids.

Odor

Has an odor

No specific smell or taste

Toxicity

Some toxic effects

Kiln Schedules

UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5

Dry at a slow speed

Drying (speed) is fast

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules

Dry at a slow speed

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow

Drying Defects

Checking

Distortion

Severe surface checking

Moderate end spitting

Severe twisting/warping

Severe end splitting

Moderate twist/warp

Drying Defects

Discoloration

Slight twist/warp

Slight end splitting

Slight surface checking

No cupping, generally

Moderate spring/bow

Moderate end spitting

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Slowly

Reconditioning Treatement

Moderate

Difficult

Moderate surface checking

Careful control is required to prevent degrade

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Reconditioning Treatement

Little degrade

Difficult

Dries slowly

Kiln Drying Rate

Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is buttressed

Bole/stem form is fluted

Tree Size

Tree height is 40-50 m

Variable results.

Difficulty in air-drying varies from easy to moderately difficult, and drying rate range from slow to fairly rapid. Moisture extraction from center of thicker stock is rather difficult

Kiln Drying Rate

Naturally dries slowly

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is buttressed

Bole/stem form is straight

Bole/stem form is cylindrical

Tree Size

Bole length is 10-20 m

Sapwood width is 0-5 cm

Tree height is 20-30 m

Tree height is 30-40 m

Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm

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Substitutes

Potential sub for Teak (Tectona grandis)

Blunting Effect

High to severe

Boring

Fair to good results

Fairly easy to very easy

Easy

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult

t trees are usually tall and attain a height of about 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m), and a diameter of up to 48 inches (120 cm), 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.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Treatment against ultra-violet fading has been suggested since the wood turns gray-brown upon exposure to sunlight. A treatment with Armorall, the car finish product, under lacquer is reported to maintain the original color well

Working the wood with dull cutting tools may cause gum exudation

Blunting Effect

Blunting effect on machining is severe

Blunting is rated as moderate to severe

Cutting tools may be gummed up if they are not very sharp

Boring

Fair to good results

Fairly easy to very easy

Easy

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Moderate to fairly difficult to saw

Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy

Cutting Resistance in dry wood is extremely high

Mortising

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Moulding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Nailing

Difficult to nail

Planing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Planes well, to a good finish

Easy to plane

The timber responds moderately well to hand and machine tools. Planing, turning, boring, moulding, mortising, and other woodworking properties are generally fair, but quartersawn material tends to produce woolly surfaces.

Resistance to Impregnation

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

Tools usually require frequent sharpening. Slow feed rates and specially tipped cutters are suggested.

Gluing

Easy to glue

Mortising

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Moulding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Movement in Service

Excellent Stability – Small Movement

Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement

Small

Medium

Dimensionally stable

Heartwood is extremely resistant

Heartwood is resistant

Response to Hand Tools

Responds Readily

Moderate working qualities

Difficult to machine

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Sanding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Turning

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

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Nailing

Fair to Good Results

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Possible if prebored

Pre-boring recommended

Holds nails well

Planing

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Easy to plane

Respond poorly to ordinary tools

Moderately difficult to work in most machining operations

Veneering Qualities

Suitable for peeling

Polishing

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Strength Properties

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Hardness (side grain) = very hard

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high

Bending strength (MOR) = high

Max. crushing strength = very high

Max. crushing strength = high

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Toughness-Hammer drop (impact strength) = high

Ease of planing is moderate

Working with dull cutters may cause the wood to heat up and exude resin which can considerably increase machining difficulty. Slower feed rates and specially tipped cutters, or sharp, high-speed steel knives are suggested. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees has also been recommended, especially when planing and moulding material with interlocked or wavy grain.

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood

Resistant sapwood

Permeable sapwood

Sapwood is permeable

Heartwood is extremely resistant

Heartwood is resistant

Resistance to Splitting

Poor

Response to Hand Tools

Responds Readily

Easy to Work

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium

Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft.

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high

Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft.

Weight = very high

Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Moderate working qualities

Easy to machine

Response to hand tools is fair

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Sanding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Good sanding finish

Easy to sand

The material is fairly difficult to sand

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high

May require special tools to process

Density = very high

Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft.

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high

Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Numerical Data

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Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	15241	21420	psi
Crushing Strength	1607	2283	psi
Density		58	lbs/ft3
Hardness		3175	lbs
Impact Strength	54	56	inches
Maximum Crushing Strength	8981	11853	psi
Shearing Strength		2664	psi
Static Bending	10136	10405	psi
Stiffness	2259	2603	1000 psi
Toughness		386	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	4	7	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.74	0.92
Weight	59	57	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Easy to turn

Veneering Qualities

No steaming needed during bolt preparation.

Good gluing qualities

Easy to cut

Suitable for slicing

Steam Bending

Fairly well defined

Polishing

Fair to Good Results
Surface Preparation
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Good results
Polishing properties are rather good
Tangential Shrinkage	9		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	15		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	1071	1506	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	112	160	kg/cm2
Density		929	kg/m3
Hardness		1440	kg
Impact Strength	137	142	cm
Maximum Crushing Strength	631	833	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		187	kg/cm2
Static Bending	712	731	kg/cm2
Stiffness	158	183	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		444	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	0.28	0.49	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.74	0.92
Weight	945	913	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	9		%

References
Chowdhury, K.A. and S.S. Ghosh. 1958. Indian Woods – Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume I – Dilleniaceae to Elaeocarpaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

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 – Volume I. Malayan Forest Records, No. 15. Malaya Publishing House Ltd., Singapore.

Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers. Malayan Forest Records, 28(30):315-318. Malaya Publishing House Ltd., Singapore.

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

India Forest Research Institute,1974,Indian Timbers – Mesua,Forest Research Institute & College, Dehra Dun. Information Series No.16

Kadambi, K.,1954,Mesua ferrea Linn: Its silviculture and management,Indian Forester 80(9) pp531-50

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Lee, Y.H., Lopez, D.T.,1968,The Machining Properties of some Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester,3,pp194-210

Limaye, V.D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and their Properties, Uses and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.

Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1953. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 4, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.

Limaye, V.D.,1933,The Physical and Mechanical Properties of woods grown in India (Third,Interim Report on Project 1,Indian Forest Records,18(10,pp1-70

Malaysian Timber Industry Board,1986,100 Malaysian Timbers,The Malaysian Timber Industry Board

Mathur, R.N.,1958,Borer damage to Mesua ferrea Linn and Poeciloneuron indicum Bedd.,Indian Forester 84(1) pp40-1

Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l’Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand.

Strugnell, E.J.,1931,Notes on woods for furniture making,Malaysian Forester 1 pp69-73

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

Understanding The Data

Understanding The Data