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MASIRATU (Degeneria vitiensis)
Trade Name
Masiratu
Scientific Name
Degeneria vitiensis I.W. Baily et A.C Smith
Family
Degeneriaceae
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
Species is endemic to Fiji, where it is large tree with 10m long bole and freely branching crown.
Natural Habitat
Tree grow fairly rapidly, but their potential is plantation has not yet been exploved. Perfers high altitudes
Natural Distribution
Fiji
Non Timber Uses
Masiratu is a light density hardwood suitable for furniture and paneling where softwood is not a disadvantage. light building timber. peeled and sliced veneer.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Vessels per mm2 6 to 10 (medium). Vessels per mm2 10 to 20 (abundant). Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 to 150 micras (small). Vessels in radial multiples of 2 to 4. Occasionally vessel clusters common. Multiple perforation plates. Axial parenchyma in continuous tangential lines (included in reticulate and scalariform). Occasionally apotracheal axial parenchyma diffuse and/or diffuse in aggregates. Rays of two distinct sizes.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Color
Masiratu is pale pinkish-brown to red brown or dark brown in color. Sapwood may be pink to pale red and is often difficult to distinguish from heartwood.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
5
Texture
Texture is intermediate.
Natural Durability
Sapwood is immune or rarely susceptible to Lyctus attack. The timber has not been assessed for decay resistance. but a low rating can be anticipated.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
4
Silica Content
Silica Content: non
Resistance To Impregnation
Timber prone to blue-stain and termite attack. Sapwood treatable , heartwood resistance to impregnation.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.35
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.41
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
5.4
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
1.3
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
Fiji-9
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
4.2
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
450
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
79000
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
300
Workability
Sawing
Both dry and green timber are easy to saw and machine.
Machining
Dressed radial surfaces may be slightly corrugated. Because of the rays, but machined surface are still very good.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, beams, frames, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, cores
Beams
- 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Frames
- 16 - Woods of the World
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Faces
- 26 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
Cores
- 27 - Embassy of Brazil in Japan
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