Honorable hardwoods of China

hand and machine tools and planes to a silky surface, so it is commonly used in applications in which strength is less important (artistic joinery, carvings, turnery).

Weakness is also not a problem for kiri (Paulownia Jargesii) in the uses to which it is best suited. The heartwood varies in color from silver-gray to a light or nut brown, sometimes with a reddish cast. lt has a very fine straight grain and a smooth even texture. lt is extremely light, yet works, glues, stains and polishes very well.

Consequently, kiri is highly prized for use in cabinetry, musical instruments, clogs and for peeling into exceptionally thin "scale veneers," mounted on paper and printed to produce special greeting cards.

Equally valued is kaki ( Diospyros kaki) or Chinese persimmon. Tim- bers have a very wide straw-colored sapwood and a dense black heartwood streaked with orange-yellow, brown, gray or salmon pink, separately or combined. With their fine, even texture, planed surfaces have a cold, marble-like feel.

The wood is moderately stiff and resistant to shock loads, quite durable and resistant to preservative treatment. lt is high in bending and crushing strength.

Kaki is suitable for any purpose requiring a very heavy, close, compact wood with the ability to wear smoothly. Yet large sizes are not freely available and it is too heavy for plywood manufacture.

Although China does boast a number of valuable hardwoods. it unfortunately has been overshadowed by Japan, rich with the abovementioned species plus many others.