Timber iQ October - November 2017 // Issue: 34 | Page 60

CONTRIBUTORS - WOOD WORKS The properties of syringa are summarised below for the wood enthusiast: SYRINGA: HARD FACTS Botanical/ scientific name: Melia azedarach (Family: Meliaceae) Trade name: Syringa (South Africa) Other names: Persian lilac, Chinaberry, seringa, beadtree, nimwood, white cedar, Chinatree, Chinese umbrella tree, paraiso. Origin: Syringa is native to China, India, south-east Asia and Australia. It has been introduced into many countries worldwide. Conservation status: The species is not included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bole characteristics: Syringa is a medium-sized to large tree, reaching heights of between 7m and 12m. However, in exceptional circumstances the tree can attain a height of 45m. Stem diameter ranges from 0.6m to 1.2m. Colour: The heartwood is pink, light brown or light reddish-brown, with darker striations. It has a high satiny lustre. The sapwood is white to yellow and clearly demarcated. Grain pattern: The wood has a coarse texture and a straight grain, producing attractive figuring in tangentially- and quarter-sawn surfaces. Density (at 12% The air-dry density ranges from 450 to 700kg/m 3 with the average being about 600kg/m 3 . moisture content): Strength/bending properties: The wood is light and soft with low to medium strength properties. Seasoning: Air-drying - the wood seasons well with little or no warping or splitting in boards of 25mm thickness. Kiln drying schedule 2 is recommended (see below). Dry wood is stable in use. Durability and preservative treatment: The wood is durable, but not suitable for exterior applications. It is resistant to preservative treatment. Working and finishing properties: The wood saws, cuts and drills easily by hand or machine. It planes well to a smooth finish, but the grain is inclined to lift. The wood has good nailing and gluing properties. It takes all finishes well. TIMBER DRYING SCHEDULE FOR LIGHT SYRINGA (Melia azedarach) Supplied by H-P Stöhr, Timber Drying Institute ([email protected]) Dry Bulb temperatures (°C) and Relative Humidity (%) at the following Timber Moisture Contents Drying schedule no. 2 Green 40% 30% 18% to final DB RH% DB RH% DB RH% DB RH% 45 74 50 67 55 58 65 34 DB = Dry bulb temperature, RH = Relative Humidity Please note: Drying schedules only serve as a guide to the kiln operator, with the response of the timber to the drying condition being the criterion. 58 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2017 // See more on page 60