South America

Tree Data
The tree is described as medium-sized, attaining a height of 65 to 85 feet (20 to 25 m), with a trunk diameter of about 30 inches (75 cm).

Boles are straight to somewhat slanted, and are often clear of branches to about two-thirds the total height of the tree.

Sapwood Color
The clearly distinct sapwood is yellowish white or whitish in color.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is olive-brown in color, with lighter or darker streaks. The pores themselves will often appear as fine yellow dots, or as longitudinal lines. Wood surfaces are reported to be often covered with a yellow powder.

Grain
The grain is straight to very irregular.

Texture
Texture is fine to medium. The wood is reported to have an oily appearance.

Luster
Luster is low to medium.

Odor
There is no characteristic odor or taste.

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to have good dimensional stability and exhibits only small movement in use.

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to be very resistant to decay and attack by termites. It is rated as resistant to attack by dry wood insects but susceptible to marine borer attack. Resistance to Impregnation The wood is reported to be highly impermeable to wood preservatives.

Toxic Constituents
The yellowish sawdust (Lapachol) from machining operations is reported to cause skin irritation in some individuals.

Veneering Qualities
Logs are generally difficult to convert into veneers, they are reported to yield very decorative veneers.

Strength Properties
The species is considerably stronger than White oak or Teak. It has exceptionally high bending strength qualities when air-dried. Strength qualities in compression parallel to grain are exceptionally high. It is very hard, and may require special tools to process. The weight is exceptionally high, even in the seasoned condition. It is much heavier than Teak or White oak. The density of the wood is very high.

• Vorige
• Volgende