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 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 Planing Plantation species? 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 Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing		Scientific Name Cordia alliodora Trade Name Light American cordia Family Name Boraginaceae Synonyms Cordia consanguinea, Cordia guyabensis, Cerdana allidora Common Names Ajo, Ajo ajo, Ajoajo, Amarillo, American light cordia, Arbol del ajo, Bohun, Bois de Rhodes, Bois soumis, Bojon, Bomitel blanco, Brown silverballi, Canalete, Canalete de humo, Canaletta, Capa, Capa amarillo, Capa de olor, Capa de sabana, Capa Prieto, Capa sabana, Chene caparo, Cordia, Cyp, Cypre, Cypress, Ecuador laurel, Freijo, Guacimil, Guasimo nogal, Hormiguero, Larel de costa, Laurel, Laurel amarillo, Laurel blanco, Laurel corriente, Laurel de cerro, Laurel de costa, Laurel de montana, Laurel macho, Laurel negro, Lauro amarillo, Light American cordia, Loro negro, Lourel de costa, Louro, Louro amarillo, Moho, Moho salvio, Munecoc analete, Munecocanalete, Nogal blanco, Palo cacharro, Pardillo, Peterebi, Peterebi pardillo, Prieto, Princewood, Salm wood, Salmwood, Salomwood, Silverballi, Solero, Spanish elm, Suchicagle, Suchicague, Taparai, Urua, Uruazeiro, Uruazero, Uvito, Varia Plantation species? Yes Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Fiji [Polynesia], Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Venezuela Common Uses Beams, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Door, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Oars, Paneling, Piling, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Truck bodies, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Widespread Status unknown in many of its growth areas Rare in some parts of its range, particularly at the periphery Globally secure Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview Laurel (Cordia alliodora) is a tropical hardwood that grows from Mexico to Argentina, including the Caribbean. Laurel is the most widely distributed species of Cordia, a genus including some 200 species ranging from shrubs to large trees. The geographic range is quite extensive, from latitude 25° N. to 25° S., or roughly from the State of Sinaloa in Mexico to Misiones in Argentina (30). The range also includes most of the West Indies (16). Laurel is thought to have been introduced to Jamaica (13) and was first planted in Surinam as an exotic plantation species in 1967 (36). It has also been planted as an ornamental in Florida (16). Local distribution maps are not generally available, except for Mexico (7), Colombia (37), and Puerto Rico (16) where ranges are given for both geographical and political regions. In Puerto Rico laurel grows in more than half of the municipalities, in 8 of 13 State Forests, and in the Luquillo Experimental Forest Biosphere Reserve. Heartwood Color Yellow Red Brown Orange Brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Dark brown Irregular markings Golden brown Sapwood Color Red Yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood White to yellow Same as heartwood Grain Straight Figure Stripe (figure) Interlocked Mottled (figure) Growth rings (figure) Even Rays (figure) Distinct (figure) Straight Striped figure Interlocked Mottled figure Clear growth rings (figure) Rays figure Quartersawn surfaces are flecked Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Quartersawn surfaces usually have attractive ray flecked figure. Texture Coarse Medium Fine to medium Medium Medium to coarse Luster Medium Lustrous Pronounced Dull Natural Durability Durable Perishable Moderately durable Non-durable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Moderately durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) 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 from marine borers Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Heartwood is moderately resistant to decay Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 T6 - D2 (4/4) US T3 - D1 (8/4) US Drying Defects Distortion Slight surface checking Slight end splitting Slight twist/warp Slight cupping Slight spring/bow No surface checking No end splitting No cupping, generally Moderate twist/warp Moderate collapse and honeycombing Slight collapse and honeycomb Moderate spring/bow Generally free from spring and bow Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Easy Moderate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 0-10 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Product Sources Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Boring Fairly easy to very easy Easy Very good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to mould Good finishing results Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Moderate stability Medium Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Pre-boring recommended Good nailing properties Planing Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Good in both routing and recessing. Sanding Easy to sand Good sanding finish Screwing Poor results Easy to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Good results Steam Bending Moderate Poor Good Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Stains well Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = low Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Resists denting and marring Heavy Hardness = medium Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7539 10914 psi Crushing Strength 666 804 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 912 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3780 6140 psi Shearing Strength 1105 psi Static Bending 5596 8007 psi Stiffness 1187 1393 1000 psi Toughness 135 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 10 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.38 0.51 Weight 30 24 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 530 767 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 46 56 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 413 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 265 431 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 77 kg/cm2 Static Bending 393 562 kg/cm2 Stiffness 83 97 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 155 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.70 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.38 0.51 Weight 480 384 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito Alston, A.S.,1982,Timbers of Fiji: Properties and potential uses,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva 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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