Common Name(s): Leadwood

Scientific Name: Combretum imberbe

Distribution: From South Africa north to Tanzania

Tree Size: 32-64 ft (10-20 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 76 lbs/ft³ (1220 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .96, 1.22

Janka Hardness: 3,570 lb_f (15,880 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 20,960 lb_f/in² (144.5 MPa)*

Elastic Modulus: 2,494,000 lb_f/in² (17.20 GPa)*

Crushing Strength: 9,950 lb_f/in² (68.6 MPa)*

Shrinkage: Radial: 2.0%, Tangential: 4.7%, Volumetric: 6.8%, T/R Ratio: 2.4*

*Strength and shrinkage values are for the closely related Combretum schumannii

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a rich, reddish brown to dark brown; color darkens with age. Clearly demarcated sapwood is a pale yellow.

Grain/Texture: Knots and other grain irregularities are not uncommon. Fine uniform texture.

Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; sometimes exclusively solitary; large pores sometimes arranged in radial/diagonal patterns, very few; heartwood mineral/gum deposits common; parenchyma vasicentric and lozenge; narrow rays, spacing fairly close to close.

Rot Resistance: Reported to be very durable, with excellent insect resistance and weathering characteristics.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Common Uses: Carving, furniture, turned objects, and other small specialty items.

Comments: Smaller trees are used as fuelwood, as the wood burns slowly at high temperatures.