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Blunting Effect
Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Movement in Service
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Size

Scientific Name
Lysiloma latisliqua

Trade Name
Boid de sabicu

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Lysiloma sabicu


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Boid de sabicu, Cuban sabicu, Frijolillo, Horseflesh, Horseflesh mahogany, Jigue, Jigue blanco, Moruro, Sabicu, Sabicuholz, Salom, Savacu, Savico, Tabernau, Tzalam, Wild tamarind, Xiamxek, Xiaxek

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, United States

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Distribution Overview
Chiefly a Mexican genus with extensions into Central America, southernmost parts of the United States, and the Greater Antilles.

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


Sapwood Color
Different than heartwood


Grain
Figure
Other (figure)
Straight
Distinct (figure)
Even
Mottle
Interlocked

Straight
Other figure
Distinct figure
Mottled or streaked figure sometimes
Interlocked


Texture
Medium
Fine
Medium
Fine to medium


Luster
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Very durable
Durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles


Toxicity
Unspecified toxicity


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
No end splitting


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult


Tree Size
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Tree height is 0-10 m


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

Blunting Effect
High to severe


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw


Movement in Service
Stable


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to machine


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 61 - 67 lbs/cu. ft.


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Density51lbs/ft3
Weight5040lbs/ft3
ItemGreenDryMetric
Density817kg/m3

References
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

Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara

Gerry, E.,1954,Sabicu - Lysiloma latisiliqua,USA Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory,,Madison, Info. Leaflet Foreign Woods Series,No.2002

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

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Smith, E.E.,1954,The Forests of Cuba,Maria Moors Cabot Foundation,U.S.A. Publication, No. 2

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