Bischofia javanica

Bishopwood

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Other Common Names: Gintungan, Paniala (India), Aukkyu, Ye-Padauk (Burma), Nhoi (Vietnam), Term (Thailand), Tuai (Philippines), Koka (Fiji).

Distribution: Widely distributed Indo-Malayan species extending into the Philippines Korea, and Polynesia. Common along streams at low and medium altitudes.

The Tree: May reach a height of 100 ft but bole seldom attaining a length of 25 ft; trunk diameters of 36 in. and more are common, reaching 60 in.; without buttresses.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood purple red brown, darkening to a much deeper shade on exposure; sapwood light cream colored to reddish brown, rather distinct from the heartwood. Texture moderately fine to rather coarse; grain interlocked; slightly lustrous; without distinctive odor or taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) ranges from 0.45 to 0.71, averaging about 0.56; air-dry density 34 to 54 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

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

Green (34) 6,920 860 3,610

12% 16,000 1,630 7,130

Green (11) 6,970 1,260 3,370

10% 14,190 1,690 8,560

Janka side hardness 915 lb for green material and 1,370 lb for dry. Forest Products Laboratory toughness 244 in.-lb green and 113 in.-lb at 12% moisture content (5/8-in. specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: Generally reported as very difficult to season; severe warp and checking, tending to collapse and honeycomb. Material from Malaya reported to season rapidly with little degrade. No data on kiln schedules available. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.4%; tangential 9.8%.

Working Properties: Machining characteristics are rated as good, works to a smooth finish.

Durability: Heartwood moderately durable; but ratings vary from perishable in the Philippines to durable in the Fiji islands.

Preservation: Reports from Malaya indicate heartwood is nontreatable but absorption of 4 to 5 pcf were obtained in tests at Dehra Dun, India.

Uses: General construction (protected from the weather), flooring, furniture components. Good quality Kraft and soda pulps were prepared from this wood.

Additional Reading: (9), (11), (34), (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.