Scientific Name
Trewia nudiflora
Trade Name
Gota gamar
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Common Names
Gota gamar, Gutel, Ma-fo, Malam kumbil, Mera, Nai kumbil, Pambara kumbil, Pita gola, Pitali, Sanna thuvarei
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Bangladesh, Burma, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boxes and crates, Carvings, Light construction, Matches, Musical instruments: percussion, Plywood, Textile equipment
Heartwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| White to cream | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Same as heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine |
Luster
| Slightly lustrous | ||||||||||||
| Lustrous | ||||||||||||
| Dull |
Natural Durability
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to machine |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = very soft | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 4310 | 6606 | psi |
| Density | 26 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 657 | lbs | |
| Impact Strength | 22 | inches | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 1432 | 2675 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 882 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1017 | 1199 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 25 | 23 | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 303 | 464 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 416 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 298 | kg | |
| Impact Strength | 55 | cm | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 100 | 188 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 62 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 71 | 84 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
References
Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press
Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London
Mohammed Mohiuddin,1990,Wood Anatomy of six low density Hardwoods (Alstonia scholaris,,Anthocephalus chinensis, Bombax ceiba, Bombax insigne, Excoecaria,agallocha and Trewia nudiflora) of Bangladesh,Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong, Bulletin 9 Wood Anatomy,Series
Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols
Sekhar, A.C., Negi, G.S.,1962,A note on physical and mechanical properties of Trevia nudiflora (gutel,Indian Forester 88(5) pp376-7
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