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,
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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