Scientific Name
Osyris compressa
Trade Name
Chumokwavil
Family Name
Santalaceae
Synonyms
Osyris abyssinica, Osyris wightiana
Common Names
Chumokwavil, East African sandalwood, Ekamukwa, Maiyukorvil, Marimarotwa, Mukumita, Muzizi, Ol-essesse, Sigteti, Wato
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Ladders, Mathematical instruments, Musical instruments, Posts, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Vats
Heartwood Color
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Reddish brown | ||||||||||||
| Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure |
Sapwood Color
| Paler than heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine |
Natural Durability
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from marine borers |
Toxicity
| Some toxic effects |
Kiln Schedules
| Dry at a slow speed |
Drying Defects
| Internal Honeycombing Possible | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Collapse |
Ease of Drying
| Easy |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight |
Tree Size
| Sapwood width is 5-10 cm | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 0-5 cm | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm |
Cutting Resistance
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Easy to glue |
Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement |
Nailing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Possible if prebored |
Planing
| Planes well, to a good finish |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to machine |
Screwing
| Possible if prebored |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Strength Properties
| Shrinkage, Tangential = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 58 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Weight | 57 | 46 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 929 | kg/m3 | |
| Weight | 913 | 737 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | % |
References
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
Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London
Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3
White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London