Scientific Name
Trichilia emetica
Trade Name
Adjidja-peso
Family Name
Meliaceae
Synonyms
Trichilia dregeana, Trichilia roka, Mafureira oleifeira
Common Names
Adjidja-peso, Adyanya-peso, Anona, Ashapa, Auungkampe, Cape mahogany, Chele, Goron talaka, Gwanja kusa, Ivoso, Jan saiwa, Jan saye, Kisiga, Mache, Mafurreira, Makaku, Maura, Mawa, Mnwamai, Mnwamaji, Mti-mai, Muchenya, Muchichiri, Mudi-madi, Mukuhlu, Munyama, Mururi, Musikili, Musikivi, Musinzi, Mutshitshivi, Mutsikiri, Mutwati, Natal mahogany, Rooi essenhout, Rooiessenhout, Thunder tree, Umkuhla, Yofuosi
Regions of Distribution
Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Furniture, Handles: general, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Matches, Moldings, Musical instruments, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Veneer: decorative
Heartwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Pale red to pink | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown | ||||||||||||
| Greenish to greyish | ||||||||||||
| Brown |
Sapwood Color
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Variable (figure) |
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Distinct figure | ||||||||||||
| Variable figure |
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Luster
| Dull |
Natural Durability
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non durable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to marine borer attack | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack |
Light-Induced Color Change
| Darker |
Toxicity
| Poisonous |
Kiln Schedules
| Drying (speed) is fast |
Drying Defects
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Slight surface checking |
Ease of Drying
| Easy |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Slow | ||||||||||||
| Drying rate is slow |
Tree Size
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 10-15 cm |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory
Blunting Effect
| High to severe | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate |
Boring
| Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Moderate gluing properties |
Moulding
| Good finishing results |
Nailing
| Holds nails well | ||||||||||||
| Easy to nail |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Planes well, to a good finish | ||||||||||||
| Easy to plane |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Sapwood is permeable | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is resistant | ||||||||||||
| Heartwood is moderately resistant |
Resistance to Splitting
| Good |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Sanding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to turn |
Veneering Qualities
| Good gluing qualities | ||||||||||||
| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Easy to cut | ||||||||||||
| Bolt preparation requires steaming |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory results |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 6111 | 9589 | psi |
| Density | 33 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1391 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1153 | 1346 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 32 | 25 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 429 | 674 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 528 | kg/m3 | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 275 | 449 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 97 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 81 | 94 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 512 | 400 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | % |
References
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
Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London
Dalziel, J.M.,1937,The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa,Crown Agents for the Colonies
Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda
France – C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France
Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan
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
Pardy, A.A.,1954,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs in Southern Rhodesia – Trichilia,emetica,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No. 1799
Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23
Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1
Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36
Sim, T.R.,1921,Native Trees of South Africa,Union of South Africa Department of Mines and Industries Memoir No.3
Wimbush, S.H.,1950,Catalogue of Kenya Timbers,Govt. Printer Nairobi Kenya
Zambia Forestry Department,1979,Timbers of Zambia Ricinodendron rautanenii and Trichilia emetica,Zambia Forestry Department, Division of Forest Products Research, Timbers,of Zambia – Technical note