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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
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
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Calophyllum brasiliense

Trade Name
Santa maria

Family Name
Guttiferae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

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Common Names
Aceite, Aceite cachicamo, Aceite maria, Alfaro, Alfaro bella maria, Balsamaria, Bari, Baria, Barillo, Bella maria, Bintangor, Birma, Birmah, Brazil beauty leaf, Cachicamo, Calaba, Calabra, Calambuca, Came-marie, Cashicamo, Cedro cimarron, Cedro de patano, Ceite mario, Chijole, Chijole mahogany, Cojon, Crabwood, Dalemarie, Damage, Degame, Edaballi, False-mamey, Galba, Galba odorant, Guanandi, Guanandy, Guaya, Inglez, Jacare-uba, Jacareuba, Koelarie, Koerahara, Koerali, Koerli, Krassa, Kurahara, Lagarto-caspi, Landi, Landim, Laurac, Leche amarilla, Leche de mari, Leche de maria, Leche maria, Lorahara, Mani kwaha, Mara, Maria, Mario, Ocuje, Ocuje colarado, Palo de maria, Palo maria, Sakbaramte, Santa maria, Tzeltal, Vario, Wild calabash, Wild calebash, Wild-mamee, Yandiira

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chemical derivatives, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Door, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Handles: woodworking tools, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Plywood, Plywood: veneer (marine), Poles, Porch columns, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Structural work, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Questionable
Extinct
Endangered
Status unknown due to inadequate information
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Natural growth range includes the Carribean Islands, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Distribution Overview
Grows throughout the West Indies and from Mexico southward through Central America and into northern South America. It is found on all types of soils-from wet, humid to very dry sites.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Reddish brown
Pale red to pink
Red
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Brown

Fine dark veins are present

Sapwood Color
Green/Grey
Pink
Paler than heartwood
Pinkish
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Color not distinct from heartwood

The sapwood merges seamlessly into the heartwood and is generally difficult to differentiate.

Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Stripe (figure)
Other (figure)
Straight
Weak (figure)
Even
Variable (figure)

Interlocked
Striped figure
Straight
Other figure
Weak figure
Variable figure


Texture
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Coarse
Homogenous


Luster
Lustrous
Slightly lustrous
Medium


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Moderately durable
Very durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to attack by marine borers and termites
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Non durable
Heartwood resistant to decay causing organisms and termites


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Toxicity
Dermatitic effects
Unspecified toxicity


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
T2 - D4 (4/4); T2 - D3 (8/4) US
Schedule A; United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Slight surface checking
Moderate twist/warp
Severe twisting/warping
Slight twist/warp
Slight end splitting
Moderate end spitting
Slight spring/bow
Slight cupping
Severe spring/bow
Severe end splitting
No surface checking
No cupping, generally
Moderate spring/bow
Moderate cupping
Expect severe degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening
Case hardening may occur


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Difficult
Moderate
Variable results.
Special attention required
Easy
Dries slowly

Carefully controlled conditions may be required while air-drying. Quartersawn wood dries somewhat easier.

Kiln Drying Rate
Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Product Sources
Timber from Central America is called by the trade name Santa Maria. The commercial name Jacareuba is reserved for Calophyllum timber from Brazil.

The ITTO reports that an important source of timber. Exportation is low but regular. The wood is imported from Brazil into the United States, Belgium, Venezuela, and France.

Comments
Care required during nailing and screwing

General finishing qualities are rated as good

May split during nailing

May split

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is variable
Blunting effect on machining is severe
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Blunting effect on cutting tools is moderate

Blunting effect can be severe on cutting tool edges if brown gum streaks are present

Boring
Moderately easy
Difficult

Below average boring properties. Ample support required during boring operations

Carving
Easy to carve


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Moderate to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Material with interlocked grain can be difficult.
Low resistance
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate

Brown gum streaks and interlocked grain can cause problems

Gluing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Very good properties


Mortising
Easy to mortise
Interlocked grain effects mortising
Finishes well

Interlocked grain can effect mortising (can generate torn and chipped grain), but straight-grained material is worked easily in most operations

Moulding
Good finishing results
Easy to mould


Movement in Service
Medium

Moderate dimensional stability can be attained after seasoning

Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Holds nails well
Difficult to nail
Tends to split during nailing
Pre-boring recommended
Easy to nail


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Moderately easy to plane
Difficult to plane
Poor planing characteristics

To prevent grain from tearing a reduced cutting angle of 15 to 20 degrees is suggested

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Sapwood is permeable

To increase penetration incising is encouraged.

Resistance to Splitting
Poor
Good


Response to Hand Tools
Moderate working qualities
Easy to machine
Variable qualities


Routing & Recessing
Routing yields good results
Routing is easy


Sanding
Easy to sand
Good sanding finish
Fairly difficult to sand


Screwing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Easy to screw
Possible if prebored

To avoid splitting, pre-bore

Turning
Good results
Turns with moderate ease
Turning qualities are poor
Easy to turn
Difficult to turn
Below average


Veneering Qualities
Diifficult to veneer
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Responds very poorly to rotary cutting


Steam Bending
Moderate


Painting
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Satisfactory results
Little or no surface prep required


Polishing
Satisfactory results


Staining
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Finish is generally satisfactory
Satisfactory staining characteristics


Varnishing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Good results


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Max. crushing strength = high
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Work to Maximum Load = low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Max. crushing strength = low
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high

Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is high - comparable to Teak. Maximum crushing strength, or compression strength parallel to grain, is high. Some familiar species with high crushing strength parallel to grain include Hard maple, Teak, and White oak. Hardness is rated as medium. It resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch. The weight is high. The density is high

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength974214345psi
Crushing Strength7661352psi
Density40lbs/ft3
Hardness1120lbs
Impact Strength3035inches
Maximum Crushing Strength52678285psi
Shearing Strength2023psi
Static Bending52387722psi
Stiffness154517971000 psi
Toughness176inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load1014inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.47
Weight4039lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6841008kg/cm2
Crushing Strength5395kg/cm2
Density641kg/m3
Hardness508kg
Impact Strength7688cm
Maximum Crushing Strength370582kg/cm2
Shearing Strength142kg/cm2
Static Bending368542kg/cm2
Stiffness1081261000 kg/cm2
Toughness202cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.700.98cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.47
Weight641624kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage8%

References
Belize,1946,42 Secondary Hardwood Timbers of British Honduras,British Honduras Forest Department Bulletin,No.1

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

Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

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.

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

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

Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

Davis, E.M.,1949,Exploratory tests in machining and related properties of 15 Tropical,American Hardwoods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,Report,No.1744

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Flores Rodriguez, L.J.,1969,Description Caracteristicas y usos de 25 Maderas tropicales,Mexicanas,Camera Nacional de la Industria de la Construccion Serie Maderas de Mexico

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1936,Major tests on Empire Timbers: Properties of Santa Maria, Calophyllum,brasiliense var. Rekoi strandl - from British Honduras,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Project 24 Investigation 6 (unpublished)

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1943,Foreign Timbers 1. Jacareuba (Calophyllum brasiliense) and Cedro (Cedrela,sp.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research Leaflet,27

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Gomez-Vazquez, B.G.,1981,Wood structure and potential end uses of some lesser known Mexican timber,species,Thesis for Msc. Univ. Wales Bangor

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.

ITTO. New Marketable Species Technical Notes. Prepared by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, 94736 Nogent-sur-marne Cedex, France

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

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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)

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Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205

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

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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

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

Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia

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