Wood inspector

Family: Myrtaceae

Common names: Aibu, Aimela, Aisarufa, Gelam, Jam, Kalek, Kelat, Makaasim, Malafio, Malangiso, Obah, Rufa, Satinash, Thabyegin, Train, Water gum, Yasiyasi

Distributed in: Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Vietnam (Oceania and S.E. Asia)

Distribution overview: The species occurs in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Santa Cruz Islands.

Common uses: Blockboard, Boat building, Cabinetmaking, Construction, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Hardboards, Joinery, Piling, Railroad ties, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Veneer

Environment profile: Vulnerable

Tree size: Tree height is 30-40 m

Colors: the heart isReddish brown, Yellowand the sapwoodWhite, Yellow.The grain isWavy, the textureModerately fine and uniform and the lusterSlightly lustrous

Natural durability: Susceptible to insect attack, Very durable

Odor: No specific smell or taste

Kiln Drying Rate: Rapid

Drying Defects: Slight twist/warp, Splitting

Ease of Drying: Slowly

Comments: The genus Syzygium is represented by a large number of species which are grouped and marketed collectively as PNG Water gum. The largest representation of species in the genus is in the forests of Papua New Guinea. As might be expected, there is a wide variation in mechanical and physical properties, especially in density within the group. General mechanical and physical properties are presented here for the group. It should be noted that although the information is indicative of the properties of the group, it should be used with the understanding that individual species properties may differ significantly

Blunting Effect: Little

Boring: Very good to excellent results

Carving: Very Good to Excellent Results

Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw

Gluing: Good gluing characteristics

Mortising: Very Good to Excellent

Moulding: Very Good to Excellent

Movement in Service: Very Good to Excellent

Nailing: Splitting is frequent near edge of board , Very Good to Excellent

Planing: Very Good to Excellent

Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is permeable

Response to hand tools: Responds Readily

Routing recessing: Fair to Good Results

Sanding: The sanding finish is generally good

Veneering qualities: Veneers easily, Veneers moderately easy

Steam bending: Moderate

Screwing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy ; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results

Polishing: Good; Staining: Stains well;