Common Name: Kereti Silverballi
Scientific Name: Ocotea spp.
Wood Description: Kereti Silverballi, from the Ocotea spp. genus, typically presents a yellowish color with a greenish hue when fresh, which transitions to brown or olive upon exposure. The heartwood varies from light to dark olive green or blackish, often with intermingling of lighter and darker areas. The sapwood is narrow and light yellowish, not sharply defined from the heartwood. The wood has a fine and uniform texture and a grain that is straight to roey or interlocked. It is lustrous and has a spicy odor, though the taste may or may not be distinctive. When dry, it is odorless and tasteless. The tree can grow to heights of 100-130 feet with diameters up to 30-40 inches, yielding clear boles of 55-75 feet. Boles are cylindrical, straight, and may be basally swollen or have low buttresses.
Physical Properties: Kereti Silverballi is a moderately heavy wood. Its basic specific gravity (oven-dry weight/green volume) ranges from 0.55-0.65, and 0.80-0.91. Air-dry density is 40-50 pcf (approximately 641-801 kg/m³) and 62-70 pcf (approximately 993-1121 kg/m³). The Janka side hardness is 1470 lb for dry material and 1160 lb for green material. The Forest Products Laboratory toughness is 176 in.-lb. Shrinkage from green to oven-dry is radial 4.7-8.8% and tangential 7.0-9.6%, with volumetric shrinkage of 12.1-17.1%. Movement in service is rated medium.
Mechanical Properties: Kereti Silverballi exhibits good mechanical properties. Its bending strength (Modulus of Rupture, MOR) is 19,030 psi at 12% MC, and 25,500 psi at 12% MC. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) is 2,570 (1000 psi) at 12% MC, and 3,700 (1000 psi) at 12% MC. Crushing strength is 10,010 psi at 12% MC, and 13,040 psi at 12% MC. The mechanical properties of Ocotea spp. are compatible with common wood species used in civil construction.
Uses: Kereti Silverballi is a versatile timber used for both interior and exterior applications. It is used in general carpentry, interior work, and lightweight furniture, and is suitable for utility plywood. Its excellent durability against marine borers also makes it valuable for marine and ship construction, lock gates, docks, industrial flooring, vats, filter press plates, piling, heavy construction, turnery, and specialty items like fishing rods and billiard cue butts.