Download Rhodesian- -Teak-

Exotic Species
origin:
Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Rhodesia and Zimbabwe.
other common names:
Rhodesiese kiaat, gusi, umkusu, Zambesi redwood, umgusi, mukshi and mukusi.
the tree:
Rhodesian teak is a small much-branched tree growing to a height of 50 to 60 ft.
with a clear bole 10 to 15 ft. in length and 30 in. in diameter. The bark is smooth
and brownish in color at first, but as it gets older it becomes cracked and
vertically fissured. The leaves are alternate and compound with 4 to 5 pairs of
opposite leaflets. It has large, beautiful flowers growing on large, strong axillary
racemes that are about a ft. long. The fruit is a flattened, woody pod, 2 in. by 5 in.
and from June to September they explode and scatter seeds widely.
appearance:
The heartwood is an attractive reddish-brown with prominent, irregular black lines
and flecks. The sapwood is a pale pinkish-brown and is clearly demarcated. The
grain is straight or slightly interlocked with a fine, even texture and a low luster.
Because of its tannin content, moist wood will stain when in contact with iron.
-Rhodesian-TeakBaikiaea plurijuga
Family:
Fabaceae or Leguminosae, the
legume family; the cassia group.
density:
Average reported specific gravity is 0.73(ovendry weight/green volume), equal to
an air-dried weight of 58 pcf. Janka hardness is 2990 pounds of force.
drying & shrinkage:
It dries slowly with little or no degrade, however care in stacking is essential.
Movement in service is rated as small. Average reported shrinkage values (green
to 12% moisture content) are 1.5% radial and 2.5% tangential.
working properties:
Rhodesian teak is difficult to saw and because of its high silica content, it severely
blunts and gums saw teeth. Machinery with adequate power and tungsten-tipped
cutting edges are advised. Despite its interlocked and variable grain, it plains well
to a smooth finish. It turns excellently and its gluing and finishing properties are
good. Its dust may cause respiratory irritation.
durability:
The durability of the wood is excellent. The heartwood is unaffected by fungi and
moderately resistant to termite attack. The sapwood is susceptible to attack by
powder-post beetles. Freshly cut logs must be handled quickly to prevent attack by
the forest longhorn beetle. The heartwood is highly resistant to preservative
treatment and the sapwood is moderately so.
uses:
Rhodesian teak is highly versatile and has many uses. Its main use is as flooring
but it is also used for furniture, cabinetwork, turnery, carving, decorative veneer,
mining timber, railway sleepers and store fittings.
availability:
Lumber Company
Rhodesian teak is available from commercial sources.