Pencil Cedar

Botanical Names: Palaquium species, principally P. galactoxylum, P. hexandrum, P. ellipticum,

P. obovatum, P. rostratum, P. hornei, P. amboinense.

Family Name: Sapotaceae
Local Names: red silkwood, bauvudi, sacau (Fiji), pencil cedar (Papua New Guinea), faibaru, maliolo

(Solomon Islands), nato, red nato (Philippines), pali, njatuh, balam, punti, nantu, siki, soko,
(Indonesia), kha-nunnok (Thailand)
Description

Pencil Cedar is represented by a number of species and there is considerable variation within the
species regarding their mechanical and physical properties. However, the colour is consistent and the
heartwood is generally pinkish brown in colour, darkening upon exposure to light. The sapwood is
paler in colour and is, quite often distinct from the heartwood. The grain is generally straight but
sometimes may be interlocked and wavy; texture is moderately fine and even. The timbers have a
lustrous sheen as the vessel lines commonly glisten, due to the presence of Tyloses, on longituninal
surfaces. Figure is generally not relatively pronounced; fine dark lines merging with paler background,
though back sawn materialmay often produce a flame-like appearance. There is neither taste no
odour. Some of the species contain Silica.
The trees occur on sites as varied as coastal peat swamps to mountainous regions. Their wide
distribution includes Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
and Fiji.

Tree

Properties

Height
(m)

Diam.
(m)

30 - 40

Uses

Origin of data

Density

Strength
Group

Shrinkage

Durability

Lyctus
Suscep.

Australia
Solomon Is
Papua New Guinea

7
7
6+-7

S5
S5-S6
S5-S6

2
2-3
1-2

2, 4, 6, 7,
8, 12, 13,
15, 17,
18, 20,
27, 28

Information in above table relates to Classification Information for all species.

Stress Grades
F4, F5, F7, F8 (unseasoned), F5, F7, F8, F11 (seasoned), when visually stress graded in accordance
with AS2082: 2000, Visually stress-graded hardwood for structural purposes.
Characteristics

Non-siliceious timbers do not present difficulties in conversion, they work well with machine and hand
tools. Siliceous stock more difficult to cut but a good smooth finish can always be obtained. Timber
takes a good polish with a filler; flue, screws and nails satisfactorily. Stock kiln-seasons readily from
green condition with little or no degrade. A slight amount of cupping, twist and collapse may occur in
some boards. Steaming treatmnet helpful for quality cabinet timber.
References:
1)

Queensland Government Harwoods Queensland

URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/7680.html

2)

Bolza, E. & Keating, W.G. 1982, Characteristics, Properties and Uses of Timbers
South-east Asia, Northern Australia and the Pacific Volume 1, CSIRO, Australia

3)

Eddowes, Peter. J. 1977, Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea (Their properties & Uses),
Forest Products Research Centre, Papua New Guiinea