Abstract:
Kaya senegalensis (African Mahogany) has introduced to Sri Lanka instead of the incremental
issues which rise from Elephant damage to the Teak plantations. Due to having drought
resistance, botany wildfires and the higher growth rates under the dry and intermediate climate
factors, Kaya senegalensis has been planted about 2,187 acres in several dry and intermediate
zones in Sri Lanka. As commercial plantations and the substitute product for teak 374 acres of
Kaya senegalensis plantations were planted in Kurunegala District. Due to having medium
strength properties it is used majorly for light constructions and manufacturing furniture. This
study was conducted to determine the awareness and usage of Kaya and the issues which were
perceived by users in Kurunegala district, when using in cutting, felling, sawmilling and
furniture manufacturing and find the solutions and recommendations throughout this study in
future. The survey was based on the questionnaire which included several related questions on
awareness, usage and emerged issues. Results showed that 71% of participants were aware on
Kaya senegalensis timber species. Although they knew about Kaya timber species, 46.67% used
timber for several purposes. 53.33% did not use their low preference to the timber and some
issues on the workability of timber. Highest percentage of 82.15% used Kaya timber for roofing
in Kurunegala District. Fibrillated and roughness was identified as the major issue of cutting,
felling (57.69%) as well as sawmilling in percentage of 45.45%. In sawmilling 43.18% perceived
the issue of curving and twisting while 9.09% perceived cracking and 2.27% perceived
shrinking. Furniture manufacturing is the major task in timber industry. Due to the low trend of
using Kaya senegalensis for furniture manufacturing, it was identified most of used participants
perceived the issue of curving (50%) and twisting (45.45%) while 16.66% and 2.27% perceived
craking and concaving respectively. Therefore it has clearly shown that curving and twisting is
the major issue for manufacturing furniture while fibrillating and roughness effect for the
cutting, felling and sawmilling.
