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Boring Carving Certified Source 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 Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering		Scientific Name Astronium graveolens Trade Name Goncalo alves Family Name Anacardiaceae Common Names Aderno, Almedro macho, Arathanha, Aroeira do campo, Aroeira preta, Batao, Bauwana, Chibatao, Ciruelillo, Ciruelo, Cubatau, Diomate, Frijolillo, Gateado, Goncalo alves, Guarabozebra, Guarita, Guasango, Gusanero, Gusango, Jenjuira, Jobillo, Locuswood, Masicaran, Muiracatiara, Ormigo, Palo de cera, Palo de cruz, Palo de culebra, Palo obero, Potrico, Quebracha, Quebracho, Ron ron, Ronron, Roron, Tibigaro, Tigerwood, Ubatin, Urunday, Vermezho, Yomato, Zebrawood, Zorro Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Bridge construction, Brush backs & handles, Brush backs & handles, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Construction, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Paneling, Piling, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Woodwork Environmental Profile Questionable Endangered Extinct Inadequate information for some areas Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within parts of its range Endangered within much of its growth range (and may soon be Extinct if adverse environmental practices persist) Believed to be abundant in the Brazilian Amazon. Distribution Overview Goncalo Alves was once a common tree in the upland forests of many regions from Mexico and Central America through to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Ecuador. It's distribution is less widespread now. Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Black Purple Orange Reddish brown Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Red Usually richly mottled with dark brown streaks and spots Reddish-Brown, orange brown, or golden brown beige to red Pale brown Dark brown Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure Black Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Green/Grey Pink Well defined White to yellow Paler than heartwood Grayish-White, pinkish-white, or brownish white Different than heartwood Clearly distinct from heartwood Grain Figure Stripe (figure) Wavy Interlocked Distinct (figure) Even Closed Mottled (figure) Irregular Other (figure) Straight Wavy Striped figure Interlocked Mottled figure Distinct figure Straight Other figure Irregular Distinct and fine figure Some irregular, dark longitudinal bands. Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Medium Luster Medium High Low Slightly lustrous Pronounced Lustrous Natural Durability Very durable Durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack by white-rot and brown-rot fungi Resistant to attack by termites Resistant to attack by dry-wood insects Highly resistant to moisture absorption Good weathering characteristics Weathering Good Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Dry at a moderate speed Drying (speed) is fast UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T3-C2 (4/4 - 6/4) US Schedule C (4/4 - 6/4) UK Drying Defects Distortion Checking Splitting Moderate surface checking Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Moderate twist/warp Moderate spring/bow Slight tendency to warp and check during drying Slight end splitting Should be air dried slowly Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Variable Rapidly Slowly Difficult Variable results. Moderately difficult to difficult to dry Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries at a moderate speed Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Bark width is 10-15 mm Narrow flanged buttresses that are about 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) high. It develops well-formed cylindrical boles that are often clear for about two-thirds or more of the total height of the tree. Certified Source Certified Source Comments Durable General finishing qualities are rated as good Hard and heavy Lesser known species from Central and South America One of the most beautiful tropical woods Strength properties similar to those of American dogwood (Cornus florida) Strong Suited primarily for construction and secondarily for fine furniture Tough Used as subsitute for making bobbins Used for knife handles as a subsitute for Cocobolo (Dalbergia) Boring Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Twist drills should be avoided because they cause breakouts To avoid burning, a slower speed (about 250 rpm) has been recommended Bradpoint bits and using a back board under tdrilled material can minimize tearout Back drill out periodically during deep drilling is also recommended Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Start with medium-cut burrs and progress to fine ones is recommended since coarse burrs tend to chip the wood Power carving tools with carbide-tipped burrs are essential Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Rip-Profile blade with a maximum of 28 teeth is recommended for ripping to allow sawdust to clear and to prevent charring from heat buildup Requires power tools with carbide-tipped blades and cutters to work Highly figured wood should be crosscut with the help of a backing board to prevent tearout Hard, heavy and dense Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Surface Preparation Carefully Controlled Conditions Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Gluing is often difficult Use glues with a longer open time, such as woodworker's white glue Surface should be pre-treated with a solvent to clear natural extractives Apply light coat, brief joining of pieces, separating the pieces and allowing the glue to partially set and then rejoining the pieces Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best results Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small movement in use Seasoned timber has good dimensional stability Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Pre-boring recommended Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Straight-Grained wood can be fed into the planer at a 90 degree angle Slow feeding rates have been recommended Shallower cuts are suggested if any tearout occurs during planing Cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended due to alternating bands of hard and soft material as well as irregular and interlocked grain Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Extremely resistant to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Variable qualities Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Bits with ball bearing pilots, a consistent feed rate, and shallower passes have been suggested for best reults Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Use a cabinet scraper and sanding with the grain for best results Generally easy to sand Extra attention should be paid to grits since avoiding them may leave scratches that are difficult to remove Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Very good screw holding qualities Screws should be lubricated for easier operations Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Turns easily with sharp tools Highly figured material requires care to prevent tearout Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling Suitable for slicing Easy to cut Difficult to glue Steam Bending Unsuitable Generally unsuitable for steam bending Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Polishes very easily No grain filling is required and a clear finish is suggested to enhance the beauty of the wood Finishes very easily Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Max. crushing strength = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = high Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = very high Very heavy Very dense Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hard The bending strength qualities of this species in the air-dry condition is very high, far superior to those of Mahogany.It is hard - harder than Hard maple or Teak Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 12894 18622 psi Crushing Strength 1803 2068 psi Density 60 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2262 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 7056 10520 psi Shearing Strength 2250 psi Static Bending 8340 11094 psi Stiffness 2067 2382 1000 psi Toughness 136 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.69 0.85 Weight 59 58 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 906 1309 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 126 145 kg/cm2 Density 961 kg/m3 Hardness 1026 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 496 739 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 158 kg/cm2 Static Bending 586 780 kg/cm2 Stiffness 145 167 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 156 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.42 0.56 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.69 0.85 Weight 945 929 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References 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. 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. 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. 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 Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Kryn, J.M.,1952,Goncalo Alves - Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, and Astronium graveolens,Jacq., including var. Planchonianum (A.planchonianum Engl.) Family,Anacardiaceae,Foreign Woods Information Leaflet, Forest Products Laboratory, Forest,Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Kynoch, W., Norton, N.A.,1938,Mechanical Properties of certain tropical woods chiefly from S. America,School of Forestry and Conservation, University of Michigan Bulletin,No.7 Lamb, A.F.A., Wangaard, F.F.,1950,The Gluing Properties of certain Tropical American Woods,Yale Univ. School of Forestry Technical Report,4 Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Perpetua Hardwoods. Sea Star Trading Co. - Purveyors of Fine Wood. Newport, Oregon. Personal Communication, 1993. Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J.,1939,American Woods of the Family Anacardiaceae,Tropical Woods,8(60,pp11-45 Simpson, W.T. and J.A. Sagoe. 1991. Relative Drying Times of 650 Tropical Woods : Estimation by Green Moisture Content, Specific Gravity, and Green Weight Density. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-71, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. 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 U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 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 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Wood Magazine. 1995. Goncalo alves - Prized for its Beauty, Harvested for its Durability. Compiled with Woodworker Tom Etreses and Woodturner Gary Zeff in Wood Magazine, August 1995. Page 37-38.