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 //
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