(Medium Hardwood)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Sapwood is well-defined and yellow in colour. Heartwood is pinkish when fresh and darkening to a bright orange-red or deep brown.

Grain is interlocked, often very interlocked.

Texture is coarse and even.

Vessels are large and with simple perforations, few or very few, mostly solitary, but also in radial groups of 2 to 6 and evenly distributed.

Wood parenchyma is abundant and predominantly paratracheal, as conspicuous aliform type; apotracheal type may occur as narrow terminal bands.

Rays are moderately fine, just visible to the naked eye on the cross- section.

Ripple marks are generally distinct.

Concentric bands of included phloem are often present.

DURABILITY

Moderately durable

WORKING PROPERTIES

Planing: Easy
Finish: Smooth
Boring: Slightly difficult
Finish: Rough
Turning: Slightly difficult
Finish: Rough
Nailing: Poor

USES

Suitable for heavy construction, railway sleepers, transmission posts, beams, joists, bridges, wharves, fence posts, piling, parquet and strip flooring, paneling, heavy-duty furniture, heavy-duty pallets, boxes, crates and tool handles.