Cryptocarya spp. Family: Rose-Maple

Other Common Names: Rose-Maple, White Laurel (Australia), Tawenna (Ceylon), Dugkatan, Lamot (Philippines), Moustiquaire (New Caledonia), Medang (Malaya).

Distribution: Ranging from southern India and Ceylon into Malaysia and the Philippines and southward to Australia.

The : Varies with but may reach a height of 120 ft and trunk diameters of 30 to 45 in. Some species are small with diameters of only 12 in.

The Wood: General Characteristics: Heartwood pinkish brown, grayish brown, reddish brown, or chocolate brown; sapwood lighter in color but not distinct. Grain usually straight texture rather fine to medium; luster low; sometimes with an aromatic odor when freshly cut but without distinctive odor or taste when dry. Silica content up to 0:82% reported for some species.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) varies with species from 0.45 to 0.73; air-dry density 35 to 55 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (First two sets of data based on the 2-in. standard; the third set on the 2-cm standard.)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength (%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi) Green (7) 19,600 NA 6,090

12% 23,400 2,740 11,600

12% (7) 19,300 2,490 9,680

12% (51) 14,500 1,510 6,400

Janka side hardness 1,515 lb to 2,095 lb for dry material. Forest Products Laboratory toughness 137 to 154 in.-lb for dry material (5/8-in. specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: Some species are reported to be easy to season; others have a tendency to warp and split. No data available on kiln schedules. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.2%; tangential 7.6%; volumetric 12.2%.

Working Properties: Generally reported to be not difficult to work with hand and machine tools. Durability: Variable with species; C. erythroxylon of Australia is not resistant to decay, while C. bicolor in the Philippines is reported to be durable. Sapwood prone to powder-post beetle attack.

Preservation: No data available.

Uses: Cabinetwork, flooring, joinery, decorative veneers, paneling, construction (C. membranacea).

Additional Reading: (7), (51), (79) 7. Bolza, E., and N. Kloot. 1966. The mechanical properties of 81 New Guinea imbers. CSIRO Div. For. Prod. Technol. Pap. For. Prod. Aust. No. 41. 51. 51. Sallenave, P. 1955 Propriétés physiques et mécaniques des bois tropicaux de l’union Francaise. Publ. Centre Tech. For. Trop. No. 8, Nogent-sur-Marne. 79. United Kingdom: 1960. Specimen woods No. 296. Rose-Maple (). Suppl. to Wood 25(8).

From: Chudnoff, Martin. 1984. Tropical Timbers of the World. USDA Forest Service. Ag. Handbook No. 607.

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