NEW GUINEA WALNUT
Family: Anacardiaceae

Other Names:
Pacific walnut, Papuan walnut (UK); Loup, lup (Papua New Guinea).

Distribution:
Papua New Guinea and neighboring islands.

General Description:
The grain is moderately interlocked with wavy grain present producing a broken striped figure on quartered surfaces. The surface shows irregular dark brown to black bandings. The texture is medium and even.

Color:
A grey brown backgrown with an orange cast.

Weight:
Averaging between 740 kg/m3 (46 lb/ft3).

Specific Gravity:
.74.

Mechanical Properties:
•  Bending strength – Medium
•  Crushing strength – High
•  Resistance to shocl loads – Medium
•  Stiffness – Low
•  Steam bending classification – Moderate

Seasoning:
Dries readily with a slight tendency to warp in the thinner sizes and to check or distort if the drying is hurried. Dried slowly, there is minimum degrade. There is medium movement in service.

Working properties:
Although it works readily and easily with hand and machine tools there is a moderate blunting effect on cutters, which should be kept sharp to produce a smooth finish. It nails and screws well; glues, stains and polishes satisfactorily.

Durability:
Moderately durable. It is non-durable to marine borers but resistant to termites. It is resistant to preservative treatment.

Uses:
•  Furniture and cabinet making
•  Interior and exterior joinery
•  Construction work