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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 Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Bombax ceiba Trade Name Kondrotti Pochote Family Name Bombacaceae Synonyms Bombacopsis fenderi, Bombacopsis fendleri, Bombacopsis jaris, Bombacopsis sepium, Bombax ceiba, Bombax fenderi, Bombax fendleri, Bombax heptaphyllum, Bombax malabaricum, Bombax nicoyense, Bombax quinata, Bombax quinatum, Gossampinus heptaphylla, Gossampinus malabarica, Pachira bracteolata, Pachira fendleri, Pochota vulgaris Common Names Alas, Babui-gubat, Bargu, Boboo, Bobor, Bolchu, Bombax, Bouro, Buraga, Bural, Burga, Burgu, Burla, Buroh, Buruga, Caoba bastarda, Cartageno, Cedre colorado, Cedrillo, Cedro colorado, Cedro dulce, Cedro espino, Cedro espinoso, Cedro macho, Cedro tolu, Ceiba, Ceiba colarado, Ceiba del tolu, Ceiba macho, Ceiba tolua, Condrotti, Coton, Cottonwood, Del, Didu, Edel, Espinoso, Gon run do, Himala, Huimba, Ilavam, Ilavu, Illavam, Indian bombax, Jaris, Kamba, Kapas-damo, Katseori, Katu-imbul, Khatsawar, Khatsaweri, Kondrotti, Lanillo, Lapaing, Letpan, Mahot coton, Mai-nio, Malabulak, Masgorana, Masgrana, Masguara, Meduza, Mfume, Mullilavu, Munguza, Murea, Muree, N'demo, Ngiew, Ngui, Pagun, Panchu, Panheira, Parutti, Pochote, Poola, Pula, Randu, Randu alas, Red ceiba, Red silk cotton tree, Samauma, Saodi, Saori, Saqui, Saqui-saqui, Sauri, Sawar, Sayar, Semul, Semur, Shembal, Shimal, Shimlo, Shirlan, Silk cotton tree, Simalo, Simbal, Simul, Simur, Somr, Squisqui, Sumauma, Sumauma de terra ferme, Sumauma de tierra firme, Sunglu, Taglinan, Tambaluang, Taroktok, Tolu, Tolua, Tula, Tunglu, Varma-druma, Wallaiki, weraga Regions of Distribution Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bangladesh, Benin, Burma, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Columbia, Congo, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Venezuela Common Uses Agricultural implements, Beams, Bent Parts, Blockboard, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Cutting surfaces, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Door, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Mine timbers, Model airplanes, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling , Particleboard, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Roofing, Rough construction, Rustic furniture, Sporting Goods, Stools, Tool handles, Toys, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Status unknown in many of its growth areas Status has not been officially assessed Endangered within most of its growth range (and may soon be Extinct if adverse environmental practices persist) Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview West Africa, extending into Tanzania in Central Africa. Generally found in savannah secondary forests and dense rain forests. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Purple Red Orange Pale brown White to cream Reddish brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale red to pink Red Yellowish tan Turn reddish brown upon exposure Pinkish white Pale reddish brown Greenish to greyish Dark purplish brown Dark markings and gum veins Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Color not distinct from heartwood Yellowish Whitish Occasionally clearly defined from the heartwood, but not always. Different than heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Even Rays (figure) Rippled (figure) Straight Interlocked Straight to interlocked Rippled figure Rays figure Texture Medium Fine Coarse Coarse Medium Medium coarse to coarse Fine Luster Medium High Lustrous Dull Pronounced Slightly lustrous Natural Growth Defects Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Non-durable Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Durable Resistant to attack from marine borers Susceptible to termite attack Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Highly susceptible to attack by subterr. and dry-wood termites Highly resistant to marine borers Heartwood resistant to attack by white rot and brown rot fungi Logs should be extracted and processed quickly to prevent degrade from stain, decay, and insect attack. Wood has good resistance to marine borers in Panamanian waters. Odor No specific odor May have astringent taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Lighter Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying (speed) is fast UK=E (4/4) T6 -B3 (4/4) US Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking No twisting or warping Moderate surface checking Expect resin/gum exudation Slight spring/bow No surface checking No cupping, generally Moderate end spitting Moderate cupping Moderate collapse and honeycombing Ease of Drying Difficult Moderate Easy Air-dries slowly Air-dries rapidly with severe degrade 8/4 stock took about a year to air-dry to 20% moisture content Kiln Drying Rate 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 straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Sapwood width is 15-20 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 20-25 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Product Sources European birch is difficult to obtain except in the form of plywood, and very limited quantities of it in the form of veneers are available on the European market. Prices are within the range of that of the lower cost hardwoods, when available. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as poor Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on sawing is mild Boring Use very sharp cutting edges to prevent grain from tearing Good results Carving Good results Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy The wood has very low resistance to sawing as long as cutters are kept very sharp Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Good properties Glues well Mortising Good mortising properties Moulding Moulding characteristics are rated as good. Movement in Service Stable Holds shape after seasoning Nailing Easy to nail Holds nails well Good nailing properties Planing Easy to plane Requires sharp cutting edges Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately to extremely resistant The sapwood is permeable but chemical penetration is irregular Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Sanding Good sanding qualities Excellent sanding qualities Screwing Holds screws well Good screwing properties Turning Requires very sharp cutting edges Good results Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Moderate Painting Poor results Little or no surface prep required Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Smooth finish Staining Fair to Good Results Stains well Staining properties are good Varnishing Poor turning properties Good results Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Max crushing strength = very low Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = moderate Weight = medium Vulnerable to denting and scratching Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Resists denting and marring Hardness = medium Density = medium Density = high Density (dry weight) = less than 15 lbs/cu.ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low It resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5686 8762 psi Crushing Strength 549 725 psi Density 29 lbs/ft3 Hardness 580 lbs Impact Strength 15 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3371 5660 psi Shearing Strength 1061 psi Static Bending 4683 6843 psi Stiffness 1130 1327 1000 psi Toughness 101 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 7 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.39 0.46 Weight 47 28 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3.6 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 399 616 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 38 50 kg/cm2 Density 464 kg/m3 Hardness 263 kg Impact Strength 38 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 237 397 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 74 kg/cm2 Static Bending 329 481 kg/cm2 Stiffness 79 93 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 116 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.56 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.39 0.46 Weight 753 448 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3.6 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % 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. 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Printer Calcutta,2 vols Prasad, J.,1941,A note on Semal, Bombax malabaricum D.C.,Indian Forester 67(4) pp171-83 Ramesh, Rao K., Juneja, K.B.S.,1971,Field Identification of Fifty Important timbers of India,Dehra Dun India Razzaque, M.A., Et al,1970,Pulping studies on simul wood (Somalia malabarica,F.R.I. Chittagong Bulletin No.8 - Pulp and Paper Series 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. 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