Khaya wood

Khaya wood
chheu khai (ឈើខៃ)/Sọ khỉ/Xà cừ

Khaya senegalensis A. Juss.
Family: Xoan Meliaceae
Set: Orange Rutales

Identifying characteristics:
Large tree 20 - 30m high, 80 - 100cm in diameter, branches early. When young, the bark is smooth and gray; when old, it peels off in small pieces; Leaves compound pinnate once, growing alternately. The leaflets are lanceolate, with entire edges. Small, yellow flowers arranged in clusters in the leaf axils at the branch ends. Flower sample 4, round stamen tube, 8 anthers attached inside the stamen tube, long style , disc- shaped stigma; Spherical capsule , woody shell. When ripe, crack into 4 pieces. Round, flat seeds surrounded by thin wings.

Ecological:
The tree likes light, grows quickly, is easy to grow, seeds germinate well, the tree regenerates strong shoots, and likes many different types of soil. Flowers April - May. Fruits ripen October.

Distribution:
The tree originates from Africa, and is now grown quite commonly in our country's provinces (mainly in cities).

Uses:
The wood has a light red core, light red brown sapwood, solid wood, twisted grain, prone to cracking and warping. Density 0.710. Tensile force across the grain is 24kg/cm2, compressive force along the grain is 456kg/cm2, buckling force is 1,170kg/cm2. Wood is used in construction, boat building and other thick wooden furniture.

Referenced documents : Economic wood trees - Tran Hop, Nguyen Boi Quynh - page 518.