Properties and Uses

Machang

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Mangifera spp. (Anacardiaceae). The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 545–610 kg m^–3air dry. The sapwood is not clearly defined from the heartwood, which is light pink-brown to light brown. In many trees, a streaky corewood is produced, where the wood is dark brown interspersed with streaks of blacks. This figured material is usually with a natural sheen. Texture is moderately fine and even with straight to interlocked grain. The timber is only fairly strong (Strength group C). It is slightly difficult to resaw when green but is easy when air dry. Planing is easy but the surface produced is only moderately smooth with grain pick-up on the radial side. The nailing property is excellent. The timber seasons fairly rapidly with very few defects. Slight bowing, end-checking, splitting, cupping and some insect attacks are the main sources of degrade. 13 mm thick boards take an average of 3 months to air dry while 38 mm boards take an average of 4 months. Shrinkage is fairly low, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.1% and tangential shrinkage averaging 1.9%. The timber is moderately durable to non-durable under exposed conditions. The sapwood and heartwood are probably amenable to preservation treatment, while the core may be difficult to treat.

USES: The timber is suitable for light construction, planking, flooring, packing boxes, crates, plywood manufacture and pallets. The streaky corewood is highly prized as a decorative timber and is used for high class cabinet work, interior finishing, panelling and partitioning, sliced decorative veneers and also for furniture manufacture.

Many vernacular names for the species of this genus have been recorded and they include asam (Sab.) with various epithets, bachang (P.M. and Sar.), lanjut (P.M.), figured asam (Sab.), machang api (P.M.), machang hutan (P.M.), mangga (P.M.), mempelam (P.M.), pauh (P.M.), rawa (P.M.) and other localised names too numerous to list here. Major forest species of Mangifera include M. applanata, M. caesa, M. foetida, M. griffthii, M. indica, M. longipetiolata, M. laurina, M. odorata, M pajang, M. parviflora, M. quadrifida and M. torquenda.