Vitex

Vitex is a creamy-grey to light greenish-coloured durable hardwood.

Specs

Botanical Name
Vitex Cofassus 

Origin
Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea

Features

Working Properties
Timber is sawn without difficulty. Planes and machines well and cut across the grain easily. Bends and holds nails well (no pre-drilling required). Good finishes are achievable. 

Mechanical Properties
Vitex is a dense hardwood with above-average crushing and bending strength. Medium stiffness and resistance to shock loads. 

Main Uses
Used primarily in outdoor applications such as decking, exterior joinery, and board walks. Occasionally substituted for Teak in boat building. 

Scope of use

Exterior

• Structure
• Door/Windows
• Deck/Floor

Basic Info

Durability Above Ground Durable

Density Air Dry 750 kg/m3 

Shrinkage Radial 1.8 %
Shrinkage Tangental 4.1 %

Mechanical Properties

Janka Hardness 7.3 kN
Modulus of Rupture 113 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity 14 GPa
Max Crush Strength 64 MPa

Overview

Seasoning
Seasons well with little degradation providing stacks are weighted and fillets/stickers are closely spaced. 

Working Qualities
The timber planes and machines well and is easy to cut across the grain. A good finish can be obtained and it has good bending qualities. Holds nails well without pre-drilling. 

Uses
Decks, rails, cross-arms, bridge and wharf decking, boat-building.