Select Language:  

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

Please Provide Information To View Producer Information

* Or, continue as guest