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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 Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Hura crepitans Trade Name Hura Family Name Euphorbiaceae Common Names Acacu, Acau, Acuapa, Acuapar, Arbol del diablo, Arbre au diable, Areeiro, Arenillero, Arerillo, Asniakara, Assacu, Bois du diable, Castana, Castaneto, Catahua, Cataua, Ceiba amarilla, Ceiba bla, Ceiba blanca, Ceiba de leche, Ceiba habilla, Ceiba habillo, Ceiba mil pesos, Cuatatachi, Haba, Haba de indio, Habillo, Hura, Hura wood, Jabillo, Javillo, Molinillo, Monkeys dinner bell, Nune, Ochoho, Ochoo, Ovillo, Pet du diable, Possentrie, Possum, Possumwood, Quauhayohuatli, Quauhtlat-latzin, Racuada, Rakuda, Rakudar, Sablier, Salvadera, Sandbox, Seda blanca, Solimanche, Tetereta, Tronador, Uacacu Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Blockboard, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Core Stock, Cutting surfaces, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fiberboard, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, General carpentry, Hatracks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Pallets, Particleboard, Plain veneer, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural plywood, Veneer Environmental Profile Vulnerable Abundant/Secure Rare Rather rare in parts of its range expecially at periphery Globally secure Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview Throughout the West Indies and from Central America to northern Brazil and Bolivia.  Often occurs in nearly pure stands in Surinam on moist sandy loam. Frequently cultivated for shade. In Bolivia, found in the transition from humid tropical forest to humid sub-tropical forest in the provinces of Santa Cruz, Beni, Cochabamba and La Paz y Pando. Heartwood Color White Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale brown Greenish to greyish Dark brown Brown Yellowish white Grayish-white Sapwood Color White White to yellow Same as heartwood Grayish white Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Even Weak (figure) Rippled (figure) Stripe (figure) Variable (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Weak figure Striped figure Rippled figure Occasionally interlocked, but not always Irregular color Generally straight, but not always Texture Fine Medium Fine to medium Fine Medium coarse to coarse Even textured Luster Lustrous Pronounced High Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Natural Durability Perishable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood has very little natural resistance Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Contains silica Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 T6-D2 (4/4) US T3 - D1 (8/4) US Schedule E (4/4) United Kingdom Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Discoloration Distortion Moderate twist/warp Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Moderate surface checking Slight spring/bow Slight end splitting Severe twisting/warping Severe surface checking Severe spring/bow No cupping, generally Moderate spring/bow Generally free from spring and bow Ease of Drying Rapidly Difficult Moderate Easy Control drying yields best results 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 Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that small quantities of timber from this lesser-known-species is exported at a regular rate from Brazil to the United States, Venezuela, and Germany. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Tension wood is common Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Difficult Areas of tension wood affect results Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly difficult to carve Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is variable Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderately easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to mould Movement in Service Small Seasoned wood is stable Medium Nailing Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Tension & interlocked grain may cause woolly surfaces Planes to a poor finish Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Permeable heartwood Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Variable qualities Tension wood & interlocked grain may cause difficulties Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Routing is difficult Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor results Difficult to sand Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing yields satisfactory results Good screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Tension wood may cause surfaces to be woolly Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Diifficult to veneer Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Requires care Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Strength Properties Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5529 8010 psi Crushing Strength 402 613 psi Density 27 lbs/ft3 Hardness 558 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 2212 3902 psi Shearing Strength 990 psi Static Bending 3851 5272 psi Stiffness 1039 1196 1000 psi Toughness 69 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 7 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.34 Weight 26 21 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 388 563 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 28 43 kg/cm2 Density 432 kg/m3 Hardness 253 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 155 274 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 69 kg/cm2 Static Bending 270 370 kg/cm2 Stiffness 73 84 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 79 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.42 0.49 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.31 0.34 Weight 416 336 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 4 % References Bena, P.,1960,Essences Forestieres de Guyane,Bureau Agricole et Forestier Guyanais Guyana 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, and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119 Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. 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Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting 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 Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249 Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205 Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 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.,1971,25 Madeiras da Amazonia de Valor Comercial, Caracterizacas macroscopia,,usos comuns e indices qualificativos,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Publ., No.798 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.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Rizzini, C.T.,1978,Arvores e Madeiras Uteis do Brasil: Manual de Dendrologia Brasileira,Editora Edgard Blucher LTDA Brazil 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.) Schiffino, J.,1945,Riqueza Forestal Dominicana (Three volumes,Secretaria de Estado de Agric. Ind. y Trabajo 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 Stevens, W C,1961,Kiln Operators Handbook,HMSO Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service 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 Teixeira, D. E., M. A. E. Santana and M. Rabelo de Souza. 1988. Amazonian Timbers for the International Market. ITTO Technical Series 1. Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development, Brazil. Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Tropical Woods,1968,Madeiras Comercias Brasileiras,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo Brazil Publ.,857 Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed. 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 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 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. 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 Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13