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MUHUHU (Brachylaena huilensis)

Trade Name

Muhuhu

Scientific Name

Brachylaena huilensis Hutch.

Family

ASTERACEAE

Common Names

Muhuhu (Uganda); Muhugwe (Tanzania); Mkarambaki (Tanzania); Muhuhu (Kenya)

Scientific Name Synonyms

Brachylaena hutchinsii Hutch.

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

The tree reaches a height of 10 to 20 m, with trunk diameters from 40 to 60 cm. The bole is twisted and fluted up to 6m.

Natural Habitat

Brachylaena huilensis is common in the dry coastal forests at the sea level, and also in the semideciduous forests of the highlands, on river banks. It is known or inferred that unless the species is subject to strict regulation, it will meet AT LEAST ONE

Natural Distribution

Tanzania and Kenya, also recorded in Uganda,

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Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Wood diffuse porous. Vessels in radial multiples of 4 or more common. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 micras or less (very small). Tyloses common. Non-vestured pits. Vessels per mm2 more than 20 (very abundant). Simple perforation plates. Vessel-ray pit Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma storied. Prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchyma cells. Crystal sand in axial parenchyma cells. Two cells per pa Rays more than 10 per mm (abundant). Rays storied. Rays 1 to 2 seriate. Crystal sand in ray cells. Prismatic crystals in the ray cells. Homogeneous rays and/or sub-homogeneous rays (all ray cells procumbent). Non-septate fibers. Fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits.

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Odor

Peppered odor.

Color

The sapwood is greyish white, it has a thickness of 2 to 4 cm. The heartwood is yellow brown to greenish brown, it is clearly demarcated.

Grain

Straight or highly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.

Texture

The wood is frequently reported to be fine textured.

Natural Durability

Very durable to decay; without preservative treatment. This species is especially suited for all the uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks.

Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)

1

Resistance To Impregnation

Nearly impossible to treat with a too much low penetration of the preservative substances.

Wood Physical Properties

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying: The wood is easy to dry.

Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule

FR-10

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

Workability

Sawing

Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.

Rotary Veneer Cutting

Not suitable for veneering.

Sliced Veneer

Not suitable for veneering.

Blunting Effect

Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised.

Machining

It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.

Planing

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Moulding

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Turning

30

Boring

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Mortising

Rather difficult; special tools are needed.

Nailing

Pre-boring is necessary.

Gluing

Difficult to glue because of high density.

Sanding

Difficult to obtain very good results because of interlocked grain.

Polishing

Can be polished without surface preparation.

Steam Bending

This species can be used for steam bending.

Response To Hand Tools

Working with hand tools is difficult.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

HOUSING GENERAL, flooring, parquet, steps, panelling, TURNING, ornaments, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, handicrafts

General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Flooring
  • 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Parquet
  • 15 - Empire Timbers
Steps
  • 17 - Tree Conservation Database
Paneling
  • 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Turning
  • 30 - Embassy of Honduras in Japan
Ornaments
  • 31 - Embassy of Colombia in Japan
Handcraft
  • 66 - Maderas latinoamericanas. VII. Caracteristicas anatomicas. propiedades fisicomecanicas, de secado, y tratabilidad de la madera juvenil de Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav. Oken.)

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