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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
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Plantation species?
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
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing

Scientific Name
Araucaria angustifolia

Trade Name
Paraná pine

Family Name
Araucariaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Araucaria, Brazilian araucaria, Brazilian pine, Chilean pine, Curiy, Cury, Inho vermelho, Kuviy, Monkey puzzle tree, Parana pine, Pehuen, Pilon, Pin, Pinheiro, Pinheiro do Brasil, Pinheiro do Parana, Pinho, Pinho branco, Pinho brasileiro, Pinho brasilero, Pinho do Parana, Pino, Pino blanco, Pino Paraná

Plantation species?
Yes

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Latin America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, South Africa

Common Uses
Baskets, Beams, Bedroom suites, Blockboard, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Cutting surfaces, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Tables, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable
Endangered
Endangered within most of its growth range (and may soon be Extinct if adverse environmental practices persist)
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.

Southern Brazil contains fairly large numbers of young Parana pine.

Distribution Overview
Botanical distribution covers parts of Paraguay and Argentina and the Brazilian plateau region of Rio Grande do Sui, Santa Catharina, and Parana. Commercial exploitation has been centered in the State of Parana.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Purple
Black
Highly variable
Tan
Orange
Pale brown
Brown
Dark brown
Reddish brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Light tan
Color varies considerably

Bright red streaks on a natural brown backround occassionally

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
Green/Grey
Grey
Orange
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Slight grayish or dirty hue
Similar to ponderosa pine in appearance
Orange-Yellow to gray-yellow


Grain
Straight
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Even
Distinct (figure)

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Distinct figure


Texture
Fine
Close
Fine
Close, uniform texture and barely visible growth rings

The texture has been compared to that of White pine (P. strobus )

Luster
Low
Slightly lustrous


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Perishable
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to marine borers
Non-resistant to termites
Non durable
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Vulnerable to attack by some insects, including powder post beetles
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack by other insects, including Anobium borers
Perishable
not resistant to decay


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=D US=T3D2/T3C1
T3-D2 (4/4);T3-D1 (8/4) US Schedule D (4/4) United Kingdom


Drying Defects
Splitting
Distortion
Checking
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Severe end splitting
Streaks of abnormal wood tissue may promote warping and checking
Slight twist/warp
Slight tendency to spilt and distort during drying
Slight end splitting
No resin/gum exudation


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Variable
Medium to High Shrinkage
Slowly
Requires special attention
Difficult
Moderate
Variable results.
Streaks of compression wood makes it difficult to dry
Prolonged conditioning period and regular moisture content checks control variable drying rates
Piles should be weighted to minimize warping
Dries slowly and may be accompanied by excessice longitudinal shrinkage


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly


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


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 50-60 m
Bole length is 30-40 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

May contain moderate levels of compression wood

Blunting Effect
Little
Moderate
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Slight to moderate blunting effect on cutters


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Ripped or resawn boards may distort considerably if material contains compression wood
Low resistance to cutting


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Mininum gluing is required since wider stock is usually available
Good gluing properties


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


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Can be moulded or shped with mininum effort


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Medium
Small
Shrinks in length
Medium movement in use
High tendency to distort in reponse to changes in moisture content


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Nails without pre-boring
Holds nails well
Excellent nail-holding qualitites
Easy to nail


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Easy to plane but can distort considerably if compression wood is present
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Permeable heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Sapwood is treatable
Moderately permeable to preservative treatment
Heartwood is permeable


Resistance to Splitting
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Produces smooth surfaces
Produces clean surfaces
Easily sanded


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to screw


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Steam Bending
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor steam bending characteristics


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results
Fairly good polishing characteristics


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Finish is generally good
Accepts various types of stains well


Varnishing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Responds equally well to a variety of finishes


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Work to Maximum Load
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Toughness (total work) = very low
Toughness (total work) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Resists wearing and marring
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Medium weight
Max. crushing strength = low
Max. crushing strength = high
Hardness = medium
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = high

Parana pine has higher strength and hardness properties than most softwoods. Bending strength of air-dried wood of the species is similar to that of Teak, which is considered to be strong. Strength in compression parallel to grain is in the high range. Other species in this range include Teak, White oak, and Hard maple. it is as dense as Loblolly and Shortleaf pines, and just as strong. Its machining properties compare favorably with most North American softwoods, and it combines the strength and hardness of the Yellow pines with the easy working qualities of the White pines.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength794813046psi
Density34lbs/ft3
Hardness843lbs
Impact Strength2324inches
Maximum Crushing Strength40286894psi
Shearing Strength1753psi
Stiffness136115521000 psi
Toughness130inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load911inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.390.46
Weight3225lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength558917kg/cm2
Density544kg/m3
Hardness382kg
Impact Strength5860cm
Maximum Crushing Strength283484kg/cm2
Shearing Strength123kg/cm2
Stiffness951091000 kg/cm2
Toughness149cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.630.77cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.390.46
Weight512400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Arno, J. 1989. Araucaria angustifolia - Parana-pine. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 44-45.

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.

British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London.

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

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.

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

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.

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

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers

T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.61 Parana Pine (Araucaria angustifolia,TRADA Timber Leaflet

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

The Australian Timber Journal & Building Products, Merchandiser,1969,Timber Durability and Preservation,Supplement to Australian Timber Journal 35(4) Tech. Timb. Guide No.8

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1952,Foreign Woods Imported into the U.S.,F.P.L. Madison Rep., No. R1903-12

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series