Wood inspector

Family: Rhizophoraceae

Common names: Itswili, Messimbe, Muzaisi, Mzimbe, Onoinwood, Rhozima

Distributed in: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia (Africa)

Distribution overview: East Africa.

Common uses: Balusters, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fine furniture, Fishnet floats, Floats, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Turnery

Environment profile: Vulnerable The environmental status of this species within its geographical range has not been officially determined

Tree size: Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Colors: the heart isYellow, Yellow to golden-yellow to orangeand the sapwoodWhite, Yellow.The grain isStraight, the textureMediumand the lusterLow

Natural durability: Susceptible to insect attack, Very durable

Odor: Has an odor The wood possesses a strong onion-like scent when freshly cut. The odor occasionally persists when the wood is dried

Kiln Drying Rate: Naturally dries slowly

Drying Defects: Moderate twist/warp, Splitting

Ease of Drying: Slowly

Comments: Generally strong and tough for its weight.

Blunting Effect: High to severe

Boring: Fairly easy to very easy

Carving: Good carving qualities

Cutting Resistance: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw

Gluing: Poor to Very Poor Results

Mortising: Very Good to Excellent

Moulding: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Movement in Service: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Nailing: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Planing: Poor to Very Poor

Resistance to Impregnation: Resistant sapwood

Response to hand tools: Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work

Routing recessing: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Sanding: Very Good to Excellent Results

Veneering qualities: Difficult to veneer

Turning: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Staining: Surface Preparation;