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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 Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Virola koschnyi Trade Name Light virola Family Name Myristicaceae Common Names Baboen, Babun, Banak, Bastard cedar, Bicuiba, Cajuco, Colorada, Fruta dorada, Fruta dorda, Ira rosa, Light virola, Miguelarillo, Palo de sangre, Sangre, Sangre de toro, Sangre palo, Sangredrago, Sebo, Tapsava, Virola Regions of Distribution Central America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Cigar boxes, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Sills, Stools, Tables , Toothpicks, Trimming, Utility furniture, Veneer Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The genus Virola is represented by about 38 tree species in the mixed hardwood forests of Central and South America. The species are distributed from Belize and Guatemala, southward to Venezuela, the Guianas, the Amazon region of northern Brazil, southern Brazil and on the Pacific Coast, to Peru and Bolivia. They are commonly found in swamps and marshy areas. V. koschnyi grows primarily in Central America, from Honduras and Guatemala to Panama. Profile Sources Some material from this species is available from environmentally responsible or sustainably managed sources. The ITTO reports that a very important source of timber for export. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow White Pale red to pink Pale brown Greenish to greyish White to cream Turn reddish brown upon exposure Reddish brown Pinkish brown Golden brown with a reddish cast Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color Brown Yellow White Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Weak (figure) Figure Even Straight Weak figure Texture Even or uniform Uniform Medium Fine to medium Luster Lustrous Dull Medium Low Natural Growth Defects White deposits in vessels Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Non durable Perishable Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Vulnerable to attack by powder-post beetles Susceptible to attack by fungi and termites Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) often present in the heartwood Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules Moderate Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying (speed) is fast Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Dry at a slow speed Dry at a moderate speed UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US Slow Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom/T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom Rather slow Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Drying Defects Severe end splitting Moderate end spitting Severe surface checking Severe cupping Moderate surface checking Moderate cupping Warping can be expected Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Slight end splitting Severe twisting/warping Severe collapse and honeycomb No surface checking No end splitting should be expected No cupping, generally Moderate collapse and honeycombing Honeycombing possible Collapse Checking Ease of Drying Difficult Moderate Easy Dries well under good controlled conditions Dries slowly Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Comments Free of knots and other defects. Reported to yield red sap which flows like blood when cut General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight effect Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Bores readily with ordinary machine tools Carving Fair to Good Results Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Good mortising properties Finishes well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Satisfactory properties Good finishing results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Moderate dimensional stability after seasoning Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Possible if prebored Holds satisfactorily Difficult to nail Resists splitting Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Yields a clean surface Planes to a smooth surface Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Heartwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Poor Good Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to machine Responds well Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory routing results Recess without difficulty Moderately easy Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to sand Yields smooth, clean surfaces Satisfactory sanding results Good sanding finish Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Good screw holding properties Difficult to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to turn Good results Yields smooth, clean surface. Finish is generally satisfactory Veneering Qualities Easy to cut There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling No steaming needed during bolt preparation. Steam Bending Very poor Poor Buckles and fractures severely when compressed Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Stains well Staining (Characteristic) = non-staining Varnishing Satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = very soft Crushing strength = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Crushing strength = low Work to Maximum Load = very low Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5388 8954 psi Density 34 lbs/ft3 Hardness 635 lbs Impact Strength 14 16 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3093 5519 psi Shearing Strength 1097 psi Stiffness 1371 1597 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 5 7 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.51 Weight 33 33 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 378 629 kg/cm2 Density 544 kg/m3 Hardness 288 kg Impact Strength 35 40 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 217 388 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 77 kg/cm2 Stiffness 96 112 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.49 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.51 Weight 528 528 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References 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 Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA., Forest Service, Preliminary Copy, 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 Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,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. Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France. 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 Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1933,Major tests on Empire Timbers: Properties of Banak, Virola merendonis,pitter from British Honduras,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Project 24 Investigation 5 (unpublished) Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. 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 Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 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. Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 Record, S.J. and R.W. Hess. 1943. Timbers of the New World. Published on the Charles Lathrop Pack Foundation, Yale University Press, New Haven CT. Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47 Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Slooten van der et al, N.J.,1970,Maderas latinoamericanas III Podocarpus standleyi, Podocarpus oleifolius,,Drimys granadensis, Magnolia poasana y Didymopanox pittieri,Turrialba 20(1) pp105-115 Slooten, H.J. van der, Gonzalez, M.E.,1970,Mederas Latinoamericanos 5 Carapa sp., Virola koschnyi, Terminalia lucida,y Brosimim costaricanum,Turrialba,20(4,pp503-10 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 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operator's Manual - Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 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., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Plants Programme, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series