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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
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
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
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Virola surinamensis

Trade Name
Light virola

Family Name
Myristicaceae

Synonyms
Myristica fatua, Myristica sebifera, Myristica surinamensis, Nux Moschata, Virola mycetis


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Anakin, Andiroba, Baboen, Baboenhout, Baboenoedoe, Baboon, Baboonhout, Baboonwood, Babun, Banak, Becuiba, Bicuhyba, Bogamani, Bucuiba, Cajuca, Cajuea, Camala, Camaticaro, Cebo, Cedrillo, Chaliviande, Chalviande, Couaie, Cuajo, Cumala, Dalli, Dallie, Dollywood, Guingamadou, Guinguamadou, Irikwa, Kilikowa, Light virola, Mandalli, Moonba, Moulomba, Moussigot, Muscadier a grive, Nuanamo, Nutlet, Palo de Sangre, Pintri, Quinquamadou, Sangre, Sangre Colorado, Sangrino, Sebo, Shempo, Swamp dalli, Ucuhuba, Ucuuba, Ucuuba branca, Virola, Waroesi, We, Wild nutmeg, Y. Marccage., Yamadou, Yamamadou, Yayamadou de marecage, Yayamadou marecage

Regions of Distribution
Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Netherlands, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Beams, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Cigar boxes, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Posts, Veneer

Environmental Profile
Status unknown in many of its growth areas
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Considered vulnerable in its natural habitat because its numbers are threatened by serious adverse factors throughout its range. However, the species likely exists today in relatively large numbers.


Distribution Overview
The genus Virola consists of about 38 small to large trees that are common 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 as well as on the Pacific Coast, to Peru and Bolivia. The most widely distributed of the species, V. surinamensis , occurs in some of the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, the Guianas, southern Venezuela, and parts of Brazil.

Heartwood Color
Yellow
Brown
Pale brown
White to cream
Pale red to pink
Reddish brown
Pinkish brown
Greenish to greyish
Golden brown with a reddish cast


Sapwood Color
Color not distinct from heartwood
Paler than heartwood


Grain
Straight
Even
Figure
Weak (figure)

Straight
Weak figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Medium to coarse
Medium
Fine to medium
Coarse


Luster
High
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous
Medium
Low


Natural Durability
Durable
Moderately durable
Non durable
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Perishable
Perishable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi

Logs need prompt extraction and conversion or water storage to avoid degrade by pinhole borers.

Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
UK=D US=T3D2/T3C1
T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Checking
Moderate end spitting
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
No surface checking
Slight spring/bow
No end splitting should be expected
No cupping, generally
Moderate surface checking
Moderate cupping
Collapse
Checking


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Reconditioning Treatement
Little degrade
Easy
Moderate
Difficult
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)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is straight


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a very important source of timber for export. The timber is imported from Brazil into United States, Eastern Europe, Japan, Venezuela, and Canada.

The large quantities of Ucuhuba seeds exported from the Para State in Brazil are produced by V. surinamensis .

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as poor

Red bark contains red sap lflows like blood

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Easy

Respond readily to ordinary machine tools in boring operations

Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to carve


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Easy to saw


Gluing
Easy to glue
Good properties


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Good mortising properties
Easy to mortise


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good moulding properties
Easy to mould
Cleaned smoothly


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Medium


Nailing
Easy to nail
Holds nails well
Resists splitting
Holds satisfactorily


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to plane
Yields a clean surface
Planes well, to a good finish
Planes to a smooth surface
Planes to a poor finish
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Heartwood is permeable

Preservative absorption in the heartwood is adequate

Resistance to Splitting
Good


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Works readily with handtools


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Recess without difficulty


Sanding
Yields smooth, clean surfaces


Screwing
Easy to screw
Good screwing properties
Good screw holding properties


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn
Good results

Some grain pick-up may occur, but can be dressed smoothly

Veneering Qualities
Easy to cut
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling


Steam Bending
Poor

Buckle severely when compressed

Painting
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Finish is generally satisfactory
Stains well
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Satisfactory
Good results


Strength Properties
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = high

High density

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength55339453psi
Crushing Strength195265psi
Density33lbs/ft3
Hardness541lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength24014603psi
Shearing Strength940psi
Stiffness152018321000 psi
Toughness60inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load48inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.410.51
Weight3531lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage9%
Volumetric Shrinkage15%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength389664kg/cm2
Crushing Strength1318kg/cm2
Density528kg/m3
Hardness245kg
Maximum Crushing Strength168323kg/cm2
Shearing Strength66kg/cm2
Stiffness1061281000 kg/cm2
Toughness69cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.280.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.410.51
Weight560496kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage9%

References
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

Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1955,Baboen (Virola sp.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.39,pp25-8

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1984,Yayamadou Marecage - Virola surinamensis Warb.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Vol. 203 p.60

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.

Brazil -, I.B.D.F.,1980,Woods from Tucurui - characteristics and application,The Ag. Ministry Brazilian Institute for Forest Development

Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119

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

Carter, D.T.,1943,The Manufacture of shingles from local woods in Trinidad and Tobago,Caribbean Forester,4(3,pp107-11

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.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

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

France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12

Garratt, G.A.,1933,Systematic anatomy of the woods of the Myristicacaeae,Tropical Woods,5(35,pp6-48

Hoheisel, H.,1968,Identification of some Colombian wood Sp. and their possible use on the,basis of physical and mechanical properties,Latin American Forest Research and Training Institute, Merida Venezuala

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

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

Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil

Mainieri, C.,1971,25 Madeiras da Amazonia de Valor Comercial, Caracterizacas macroscopia,,usos comuns e indices qualificativos,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Publ., No.798

Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad

Martin-Lavigne, E.,1909,Recherches sur les Bois de la Guyane,Vigot Freres Paris

Mell, C.D.,1937,Properties and uses of Baboon or Banak wood,Veneers - Plywood 31(9) pp9-10

Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands

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., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.

Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.)

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

Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service

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

Teixeira, D. E., M. A. E. Santana and M. Rabelo de Souza. 1988. Amazonian Timbers for the International Market. ITTO Technical Series 1. Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development, Brazil.

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.

Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.

Wangaard, F.F., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187

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Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85