Category :    Medium Hardwoods

Species

General Characteristics

Sapwood not well defined; colour of heartwood yellow-brown with a pink tinge (some individuals with a distinctly defined, rose-coloured core); planed surface fairly lustrous; fine streaks on radial surface and decorative zig-zag markings on tangential surface; texture very fine and even; grain shallowly interlocked; freshly sawn wood reported to have a distinct smell "suggestive of carnations" which does not persist; very hard to cut across grain; air dry density ranging from 880 kg/m³ to 1040 kg/m³ (55 to 65 lb/ft³); moderately durable in exposed conditions or in contact with the ground.

Structure

Growth rings Concentric terminal layers of wood parenchyma simulate growth rings.
Vessels with simple perforation; moderately numerous or numerous; exclusively solitary; slightly unevenly distributed; often arranged in groups; tyloses absent; white or yellow coloured deposit may be present.
Wood parenchyma as broad terminal bands; the bands often anastomosing or ending abruptly; conspicuous to the naked eye on all surfaces.
Rays very fine; not visible to the naked eye; not conspicuous on a radial surface. Ripple marks absent.
Intercellular canals absent.

Other Features

Burning splinter test: Splinter burns to ash.
Froth test: Negative.

Uses

The timber is suitable for heavy construction if treated, e.g. posts, beams, joists, bridges and railway sleepers. The timber is also suitable for heavy-duty furniture, parquet flooring, window and door frames.