A quartet of related Asian hardwoods

when the lumber is exposed to high heat or sun.

of trees in the genus DipteroCarpus spp. widely distributed through Southeast Asia from the Philippines to India.

Keruing from Malaysia and Indonesia is the most plentiful and is often used here for industrial appli- cations including timbers and truck decking. Yang comes from Thailand, apitong from the Philippines, and gurjun from India and Burma.

Classified as a medium hardwood. it has grey-brown sapwood with a pinkish or purplish cast. Very distincr when dry, the sapwood is usually two to three inches in width. Heartwood varies from light to dark red brown or brown to dark brown with a reddish or purple cast.

The grain is usually straight or very shallowly interlocked. Texture ranges from moderately' coarse to coarse. Resin canals occur in all species and may exude resin on the surface of sawn lumber, especially

Various species weigh between 40 and 57 lbs. per cubic foot. Strength varies with species and density.

The wood is slow to dry. In kiln 4rying there is a tendency foi cupping. Resin also can cause a oroblem. -Durability, too, varies with species from not durable to moderately dur-

Storv at a Glance

yang all from related species . alike characteristics . plentiful . . suitable for industrial applications.

able. Lyctus and ambrosia beetles attack the sapwood and the heartwood is subject to termite attack. Most species accept preservative treatment. It is recommended that the wood be treated for exterior use.

All species contain some amount of silica which tends to clog saw teeth. The wood machines to a clean. slightly fibrous surface although quartersawn surfaces may pick up in planing unless the cutting angle is ieduced to 2ff.

Uses for the timber are many and varied in other areas. A high percentage goes into mine guides because it is available in long, clear lengths, and has open pores which retain lubricants for long periods. The timber is also adaptable to heavy duty flooring for box cars and trucks because of the uniform texture.

Other uses include keels, bumpers and stems for boat building, dock planking and fenders, pallets, acid pickle boxes, agitators for chemical solutions and platforms surrounding chemical vats.

SPECIALIZING IN PINE AND FIR PRODUCTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL AND RETAIL MARKETS.