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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source 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 Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Persea lingue Trade Name Lingue Family Name Lauraceae Common Names Aquacate, Aquacate de anís, Aquacatillo, Aquacote chico, Aquacote cimarron, Aquacote climarrón, Aquacote de anis, Canela rosa, Canela ruiva, Chico, Isabella wood, Laurel tree, Line, Lingue, Litchi, Palto jeia, Palto-jeia, Peche marron, Péche marron Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru Common Uses Balusters, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Casks, Ceiling, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Office furniture, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plain veneer, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Utility plywood, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Rare Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Considered vulnerable in its natural habitat because its numbers are threatened by serious adverse factors throughout its range. However, the species likely exists today in relatively large numbers. Distribution Overview The species occurs throughout tropical America, from the West Indies and southern Mexico southward to Chile. It is also widely planted from Coquimbo to Valparaiso and Santiago in Chile. Heartwood Color White Brown Yellow Orange Pink Red Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Red The heartwood is variable in color, but it is commonly reddish-brown or pinkish. The timber is often knotty Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White Grey Cream colored to light brown or reddish brown, or pale yellow to pale brown Sometimes, sharply demarcated from the heartwood Grain Straight Figure Interlocked Other (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Other figure Distinct figure The grain is straight to irregular Texture Fine Medium Medium coarse to coarse Medium Fine Fine to medium Coarse Luster Medium Low High Lustrous Medium to high Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Sapwood non-resistant to furniture beetles Resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Heartwood has moderate natural resistance to decay Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Toxicity Some toxic effects Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Checking Loose Knots Moderate twist/warp Warping can be expected Slight twist/warp Slight collapse and honeycomb Severe twisting/warping No collapse/honeycomb Collapse Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Rapidly Slowly Reconditioning Treatement Thick Stock Requires Care Requires special attention Little degrade Easy Variable results. Difficulty is rated as easy to moderate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries at a moderate speed Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm The tree is reported to attain a height of up to 60 to 65 feet (18 to 20 m), with a trunk diameter of up to 40 inches (100 cm). Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Little High to severe Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Bored surfaces are generally smooth Carving Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Rather low Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Responds well to hand and machine tools in mortising Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulds well (70+ % of pieces will yield good to excellent results) Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Holds satisfactorily Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Ease of planing is moderate For smooth planed surfaces a reduced angle of 20 degrees and sharp cutting edges are recommended because of interlocked grain Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Permeability is low Moderately resistant to preservative treatment Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Responds Readily Easy to machine Responds well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Good routing characteristics Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Yields a smooth surface Yields a clean surface Good sanding properties Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning properties are generally good Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Suitable for peeling Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer No drying degrade Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderate Fairly good response to preservative treatment Painting Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory polishing properties Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally satisfactory Satisfactory staining properties Varnishing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Low Mor/Bending strength = low Medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = soft Moderate Max. crushing strength = low 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Very low Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Medium Large Large Very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Moderate 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Trength properties are lower than those of European beech (Fagus sylvatica ), especially in hardness and shock resistance. It is moderately hard and resistant to wearing and marring. It is heavy, and high in density. The bark of the tree is reported to yield tanning, and the grain is similar to that of Guarea spp. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6843 11618 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Hardness 937 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3260 6146 psi Shearing Strength 1604 psi Stiffness 1296 1548 1000 psi Toughness 210 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.43 Weight 35 27 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 481 816 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Hardness 425 kg Impact Strength 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 229 432 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 112 kg/cm2 Stiffness 91 108 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 241 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.43 Weight 560 432 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chilean Forestry News,1941,Propiedades Fisicas y Mecanicas de las Maderas Chilenas,Min. de Terras y Colonizacion Chile, Dept. de Bienes Nacionales (Seccion,Bosqye, 103pp 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 Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO 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 Guyana Forest Department,1967,Recopilacion de Propiedadas mecanicas de Maderas Creciendo en,Chile,Inst. For. Chile Nota Tecnica,8 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. Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. 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) Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1942,American Timbers of the Family Lauraceae,Tropical Woods,69,pp7-33 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press 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,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series