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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering		Scientific Name Terminalia amazonia Trade Name Nargusta Family Name Combretaceae Synonyms Terminalia odontoptera, Chuncoa amazonia, Chuncoa obovata, Gimbernata obvata Common Names Almendro, Amarillo carabazuelo, Amarillo de panama, Amarillon, Anangossiti, Angouchi, Araca, Bolador, Bullywood, Canshan, Chasemiich, Chicharro, Cochun, Coffee mortar, Cumbillo, Esemi, Fukadi, Ginja hoehoe, Guaba, Guacharaco, Guatuso, Guayabo, Guayabo leon, Guayabo negro, Guayabon, Guyabillo, Hill fukadi, Kil, Kung, Kwai, Leche amarillo, Matora, Merendiba branca, Monteclaro, Nangossiti, Naranjo, Nargusta, Pardillo negro, Pata de danto, Pau mulato brancho, Pookadi, Roble, Roble amarillo, Roble de esmeraldas, Roble macuelizo, Tamarotan, Tilautaea, Volador, White olive, White oliver Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Beams, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Crossties, Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Planks, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The natural growth range of the species extends from southern Mexico southward through Central America and into northern South America to Brazil and Peru. It is also found in Trinidad, and is a common tree in the Wallaba forests of Guyana. It is also regularly found in the forests of Belize. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Purple Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Pale brown Brown Reddish brown Olive-Brown The heartwood has a variegated yellow-brown to olive-brown color, occasionally with clear reddish stripes or streaks. Sapwood Color White to yellow Same as heartwood Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood Different than heartwood Grain Figure Interlocked Straight Stripe (figure) Wavy Crossed Closed Even Irregular Growth rings (figure) Rippled (figure) Spiral Variable (figure) Weak (figure) Texture Medium Medium Fine to medium Luster Lustrous Pronounced Medium to high Natural Growth Defects Trees with trunk diameters above 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 cm) are often hollow at the center. Natural Durability Durable Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately durable Very durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack by subterranean termites Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack by dry-wood insects Heartwood has high natural resistance to decay Species should preferably be used under protection from the elements since it has little or no resistance to the destructive effects of the weather. Weathering Good Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 Dry at a moderate speed UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US Drying Defects Checking Distortion Severe surface checking Severe end splitting Slight twist/warp Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting Severe twisting/warping No surface checking May warp, check and split during degrade Ease of Drying Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Difficult Variable results. Moderate Center of thicker material is decidedly difficult to dry out. Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Severe dulling effect on tool edges Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fair to good results Easy Responds well to boring operations Carving Fair to Good Results Relatively good response to carving operations Cutting Resistance Fairly difficult to saw Gluing Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Glues well Difficult to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Easy to mortise Good mortising properties Moulding Fair to Good Results Easy to mould Fairly easy to mould Movement in Service Medium Dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions are moderate after manufacture. Nailing Possible if prebored Pre-boring required Difficult to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Straight-Grained material is easy to plane. Wood with roey grain may pluck or tear in planing and may require reduced cutting angles for better results. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Sapwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood response to preservative treatment is variable Heartwood responds poorly to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Easy to machine Responds poorly to hand tools Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Sanding Good sanding properties Screwing Possible if prebored Good screw holding properties Difficult to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Good results Easy to turn Good results Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Poor Moderate Very poor Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Poor results Polishes to a smooth finish Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Strength Properties Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Radial = large Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Resists denting and marring Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high Heavy Hardness = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11494 16821 psi Crushing Strength 1039 1205 psi Density 48 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1809 lbs Impact Strength 31 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5889 9056 psi Shearing Strength 2089 psi Static Bending 7556 11084 psi Stiffness 1867 2135 1000 psi Toughness 183 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 12 16 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.63 0.76 Weight 49 49 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 808 1182 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 73 84 kg/cm2 Density 769 kg/m3 Hardness 820 kg Impact Strength 78 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 414 636 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 146 kg/cm2 Static Bending 531 779 kg/cm2 Stiffness 131 150 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 210 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.84 1.12 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.63 0.76 Weight 785 785 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 Belize,1946,42 Secondary Hardwood Timbers of British Honduras,British Honduras Forest Department Bulletin,No.1 Bena, P.,1960,Essences Forestieres de Guyane,Bureau Agricole et Forestier Guyanais Guyana Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brazier, J.D., Franklin, G.L.,1967,An Appraisal of the Wood Characteristics and Potential Uses of some,Nicaraguan Timbers,FAO for Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 3 Southern Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet Series CAOBA International, San Francisco, California. 1993. Personal Communication. Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Dickinson, F.E.,1949,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 1,Tropical Woods,13(95,pp1-140 Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1 Flores Rodriguez, L.J.,1969,Description Caracteristicas y usos de 25 Maderas tropicales,Mexicanas,Camera Nacional de la Industria de la Construccion Serie Maderas de Mexico Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 France - C.T.F.T.,1973,Investigations and Tests carried out on Tropical Timber by several,Research Laboratories,CTFT Highley, T.L., Scheffer, T.C.,1970,Natural Decay Resistance of 30 Peruvian Woods,U.S.A. Agriculture Department, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory,,Madison Research Paper,No.143 I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Lamb, A.F.A., Wangaard, F.F.,1950,The Gluing Properties of certain Tropical American Woods,Yale Univ. School of Forestry Technical Report,4 Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98 Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London Perpetua Hardwoods. Sea Star Trading Co. - Purveyors of Fine Wood. Newport, Oregon. Personal Communication, 1993. Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47 Scheffer, T.C., Duncan, C.G.,1947,The Decay Resistance of certain Central American and Ecuadorian Woods,Tropical Woods,12(92, PP1-24 Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4 Tim Mahoney. Handloggers Hardwood Lumber, Larkspur, California. Personal Communication, 1993. Timber Development Association Ltd.,1948,Notes on Ecuadorian Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information,35,pp5 Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57 Wangaard, F.F., and A.F. Muschler. 1952. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume III, No. 98. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Wangaard, F.F., Muschler, A.F.,1952,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 3,Tropical Woods,14(98, pp1-190 Wangaard, F.F.,1951,The Physical Properties of Tropical Woods,F.A.O. For. & For. Prod. Studies Series No.3 Tropical Woods and Ag.,Residues as sources of pulp,pp10-16 Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85 Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series