Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. 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 Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Chlorophora tinctoria Trade Name Fustic Family Name Moraceae Synonyms Maclura tinctoria Common Names Amarello, Amarelo, Amarillo, Amoeira, Amoreira branca, Auroeira, Avinge, Avinje, Barossa, Boid d'orange, Bois d'orange, Bois jaune, Brasil, Brasil palo amarillo, Cuba wood, Dinde, Dyers mulberry, Dyewood, Escambron de madera, Espinheiro branco, Fiselholz, Fresno de America, Fustetto, Fustic, Fustic mulberry, Fustic wood, Geelhout, Gelbholz, Insira caspi, Jataiba, Jocomico, Legno giallo, Limarona, Mora, Mora amarilla, Mora amarillo, Mora insira, Moral, Moral fino, Moral fustete, Moratana, Moreira, Morita, Odumbaum, Palo amarillo, Palo de mora, Palo naranjo, Palo negro, Palomoro, Pau amarello, Pau amarelo, Red fustic, Runa, Taiuva, Tajuba, Tatajiba, Tatajuba, Tatajuba-de-espinho, Tatane tauba, Tatayiba, Tatayivasaiyu, Tatayivásaiyú, Tatayuba, Tatayva, Touvo, Toyuba, Tustete, Tustic, Yellow wood Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Construction, Crossties, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Piling, Planks, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Stools, Structural work, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Vulnerable Rare Status unknown in many of its growth areas Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Listed as unknown due to lack of information in most areas within its range including, the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Guadelope, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela Distribution Overview Widely distributed throughout tropical America. A northern form is found in coastal lowlands of southern Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and northern South America. A southern form is found in Misiones (Argentina), Paraguay and southern Brazil, but nowhere abundant. Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Orange Purple Black Pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Pale brown Darkens with age Dark brown Contains dark streaks Brown Sapwood Color Yellow White White to yellow Well defined Grayish cast Dark streaks Grain Figure Straight Other (figure) Even Interlocked Closed Wavy Stripe (figure) Crossed Straight Other figure Wavy Striped figure Interlocked Crossed Texture Fine Medium Coarse Fine Medium Medium to coarse Fine to medium Luster High Medium Pronounced Lustrous High Natural Durability Non-durable Durable Very durable Perishable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderate weathering properties Heartwood has very high natural resistnace to decay and other wood destroying organisms Odor Has an odor Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Kiln Schedules Dry at a moderate speed Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Checking Collapse Distortion Internal Honeycombing Possible Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting No twisting or warping Slight spring/bow No cupping, generally Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Requires special attention Easy Difficult Moderate Dries slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber production from the species is low. Export potential is rated as fair. Apart from timber, the tree is economically valuable as the source of fustic, one of the most important commercial dye-woods. It yields a coloring compound called maclurin which used for the production of brown, yellow, and green dyes, especially for the olive-drab khaki. Its use dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is severe Slight Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fair to good results Poor Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Moderate to saw Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Glues well Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to mortise Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to mould Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Stable Small Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory nailing properties Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to plane Ease of planing is moderate Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Difficult to machine Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Routing is difficult Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to sand Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Diifficult to veneer Steam Bending Moderate Poor Good Painting Satisfactory results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Satisfactory Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = very high Shrinkage, Volumetric = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Very heavy Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Resists denting and marring Density = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 16309 21728 psi Crushing Strength 1764 1901 psi Density 55 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2421 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 8229 11474 psi Shearing Strength 2326 psi Static Bending 9134 14132 psi Stiffness 1865 2182 1000 psi Toughness 224 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 14 17 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.66 0.84 Weight 55 43 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1146 1527 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 124 133 kg/cm2 Density 881 kg/m3 Hardness 1098 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 578 806 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 163 kg/cm2 Static Bending 642 993 kg/cm2 Stiffness 131 153 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 258 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.98 1.19 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.66 0.84 Weight 881 689 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito 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 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.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,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. 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. Edmondson, C.H.,1949,Reaction of Woods from S.America and Caribbean areas to Marine Borers in,Hawaiian Waters,Caribbean Foresters,10(1,PP37-41 Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department 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 Fors, A.J.,1949,Maderas Industriales de Colombia,Caribbean Forester,10(3,pp161-96 Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara Hess, R.W., Wangaard, F.F., Dickinson, F.E.,1950,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 2,Tropical Woods,13(97,pp1-132 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory 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. Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98 Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil Mainieri, C., Pereira, J.A.,1965,Madeiras do Brasil,Anuario Brasileiro de Economia Florestal,17(17,PP135-416 Mainieri, C.,1978,Fichas de Caracteristicas das Madeiras Brasileiras,Inst. Pesquisas Technologicas Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1940,American Woods of the Family Moraceae,Tropical Woods,8(61,pp11-54 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 Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47 Rizzini, C.T.,1978,Arvores e Madeiras Uteis do Brasil: Manual de Dendrologia Brasileira,Editora Edgard Blucher LTDA Brazil 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.) Scheffer, T.C., Duncan, C.G.,1947,The Decay Resistance of certain Central American and Ecuadorian Woods,Tropical Woods,12(92, PP1-24 Slooten van der, H.J., Martinez, E.P.,1959,Descripcion y propiedades de algunas madeiras Venezolanas,Inst. for Lation Americano de Investigacion y Capaciticion Boletin,Informaturo Dirulgaturo Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1948,Notes on Ecuadorian Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information,35,pp5 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Venezuela-Laboratories Nacional de Productos Forestates,1974,Caraderisticas, Propiedades y usos de 104 Maderas de los allos Ilanos,occidentales,Min. Ag. y Cria, Universidad de Los andes, Merida, Venezuela Lab.Nac. de,Prod. For. Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57 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., Chudnoff, M.,1950,The Steam Bending Properties of Certain Tropical American Woods,Yale Univ. School of Forestry Technical Report No. 6 Wangaard, F.F., Muschler, A.F.,1952,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 3,Tropical Woods,14(98, pp1-190 Wangaard, F.F.,1951,The Physical Properties of Tropical Woods,F.A.O. For. & For. Prod. Studies Series No.3 Tropical Woods and Ag.,Residues as sources of pulp,pp10-16 Williams, L. 1936. Woods of Northeastern Peru. Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series, Volume XV, Publication 377, Chicago. Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85 Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series