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MEDANG (Cryptocarya alleniana)
Trade Name
Medang
Scientific Name
Cryptocarya alleniana C.T.White
Family
LAURACEAE
Common Names
Allen`s laurel (United States of America); Allen`s laurel (United Kingdom); Cryptocarya (Papua New Guinea)
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
It is a medium-sized to fairly large tree up to 42 m tall. The bole is slightly flared at base.
Natural Habitat
Cryptocarya alleniana is common in lowland rainforests, riverine or swamp forests up to 750 m of altitude.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Tyloses common. Vessels per mm2 5 to 20. Vessel-ray pits reticulate and/or foraminate. Simple perforation plates. Intervessel pits medium, 7 to 10 micras. Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Occasionally paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Occasionally axial parenchyma lozenge-aliform. 3 to 4 cells per parench 4 to 10 rays per mm (medium). Ray height more than 1 mm. Oil and/or mucilage cells associated with the axial and/or ray parenchyma (idioblasts). Body ray cells procumbent with one row of upright and/or square marginal cells (Kribs-III). Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
The wood often has a fragrant odor which persists for years.
Color
The heartwood is pale brown to dark brown, often with a green or orange tinge and darkening upon exposure, generally not well defined from the straw-colored to pale brown sapwood.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
4
Grain
The grain is usually straight but sometimes interlocked or wavy.
Texture
This species is reported to have a moderately fine texture.
Natural Durability
The wood is rated as non-durable when used outdoors and prone to termite and Lyctus attack.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
5
Silica Content
Silica Content: Sometimes silica is reported in this species.
Resistance To Impregnation
The heartwood is resistant to impregnation with preservatives, even under pressure, but the sapwood is permeable.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.39
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.42
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
7.0
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
2.5
Drying Defects
Drying Defects: It needs to be dried rapidly to prevent stain.
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
JP-26
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
2.9
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Workability
Sawing
Wood of this species is easy to cut.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
The peeling properties are good.
Sliced Veneer
The peeling properties are good.
Planing
It planes well with little picking up of grain.
Turning
30
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, flooring, TURNING, PACKING
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Flooring
- 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Turning
- 30 - Embassy of Honduras in Japan
Packing
- 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas
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