Castanopsis spp.

Berangan

Family: Fagaceae

Other Common Names: Philippine chestnut (Philippines), Indian chestnut (India), Thite (Burma).

Distribution: Widely distributed from India into Upper Burma, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The Tree: Varies with species, often of poor form and with diameters of about 24 in.; sometimes with diameters up to 45 in. and fairly straight boles 40 ft in length. Trees 100 ft in height a;e reported from the Philippines.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood light yellowish brown, grayish brown, or dark brown, varying with species; sapwood yellowish, light brown, sometimes sharply demarcated. Texture mostly rather coarse; grain fairly straight to interlocked; may be lustrous when first cut; without distinctive odor or taste when dry.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) varies with species but mostly 0.50; air-dry density 42 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)

12% (47) 10,570 1,290 5,755

Drying and Shrinkage: Generally reported to season well, timbers tend to end split if the pith is boxed. No data available on kiln schedules or shrinkage values.

Working Properties: Mostly reported as easy to work and saw; takes a good finish; easy to split.

Durability: Susceptible to attack by decay fungi and termites. Sapwood vulnerable to powder-post beetles.

Preservation: Sapwood penetration is reported to be good, but heartwood penetration is slight and streaky. Absorption of preservative oils using pressure-vacuum systems is about 5.5 pcf.

Uses: General construction work under cover, furniture components, some species are used for shingles.

Additional Reading: (9), (11), (47)

M 150 282-3Logs are delivered to a sawmill in southern Nigeria. African mahogany

(mostly Khaya ivorensis) is in high demand on overseas markets. Export of logs fro

this region, as well as from most other tropical areas, is being restricted.

M 150 282-2Band mills in Ghana are designed to handle logs 5 feet and more in

diameter. Obeche or Wawa (Triplochiton scleroxylon) logs yield lumber favored for

joinery and millwork.

M 150 273-14In many areas of the tropics, fast-growing species are being introduced

future supplies of fuel wood and industrial wood. Batai (Albizia falcataria) is

a favored plantation species in the Philipines.