Amoora spp.

Amoora

Thitni

Family: Meliaceae

Other Common Names: Ta-sua (Thailand), Kato, Malatumbaga (Philippines), Bekak (Malaysia), Thitni (Burma), Amoora, Amari (India).

Distribution: India, Burma, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, and Sabah. Widely distributed but seldom very abundant in the Sub-Himalayan regions.

The Tree: Sometimes reaching a height of 100 ft; with diameters commonly 2 to 3 ft. Boles straight and cylindrical, up to 50 ft in length.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood light to dark red, red brown or walnut brown; sharply defined from the straw to pinkish sapwood. Grain straight to somewhat interlocked; texture mostly medium to coarse; luster variable; without distinctive odor or taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) varying with species from 0.44 to 0.76; air-dry density 33 to 58 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)

Green (34) NA NA 4,330

12% NA NA 7,550

Janka side hardness 755 lb for green material and 895 lb at 12% moisture content. Forest Products Laboratory toughness 230 in.-lb and 190 in.-lb for green and dry material (5/8-in. specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: Reported to be easy to air season, even in wide boards. No data on kiln schedules or shrinkage values available.

Working Properties: Saws and works well with both hand and machine tools; turns easily; takes a smooth finish.

Durability: Generally reported to be moderately durable when exposed to the weather or in ground contact.

Preservation: No information available.

Uses: Furniture and cabinetwork, flooring, construction, joinery, turnery, veneer and plywood.

Additional Reading: (9), (11), (34), (47)

M 150 282-3Logs are delivered to a sawmill in southern Nigeria. African mahogany

(mostly Khaya ivorensis) is in high demand on overseas markets. Export of logs fro

this region, as well as from most other tropical areas, is being restricted.

M 150 282-2Band mills in Ghana are designed to handle logs 5 feet and more in

diameter. Obeche or Wawa (Triplochiton scleroxylon) logs yield lumber favored for

joinery and millwork.

M 150 273-14In many areas of the tropics, fast-growing species are being introduced

future supplies of fuel wood and industrial wood. Batai (Albizia falcataria) is

a favored plantation species in the Philipines.