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Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Family Name
Grain
Heartwood Color
Luster
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Plantation species?
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Size

Scientific Name
Anacardium occidentale

Trade Name
Acajou

Family Name
Anacardiaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acajou, Acajou a pomme, Acaju, Boschkajoe, Cacahuil, Cajeuiro, Caju, Caju manju, Caju manso, Caju-assu, Cajueiro, Cajueiro do campo, Cajuil, Cashew, Cashew-apple, Cashew-nut, Cashu, Cherry, Geru mavu, Gerumavu, Godambe, Hijuli, Jidi, Jocote maranon, Kaju, Kaschu-baum, Kashu-mavu, Kasjoe, Kempu geru, Kola mava, Maranon, Maranon casho, Mereke, Merey, Mundiri, Nois d'acajou, Noix d'acajou, Orvi, Pajuil, Palu di cashupete, Parangi-mavu, Pomme d'acajou, Pommier cajou, Pommier d'acajou, Shilkale, Thihothayet

Plantation species?
Yes

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Trinidad and Tobago, United States

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
White
Pink
Green/grey
Pale red to pink
Greenish to greyish
Brown
White to cream
Pale brown


Sapwood Color
Brown
Color not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Even
Straight
Interlocked

Interlocked
Generally straight, but not always


Texture
Medium coarse


Luster
Medium
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Perishable
Non-durable
Non-resistant to termites
Non-resistant to marine borers
Susceptible to insect attack
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Non durable


Toxicity
Some toxic effects
Dermatitic effects


Drying Defects
Resin Exudation
Expect resin/gum exudation


Ease of Drying
Gum Exudation


Tree Size
Tree height is 0-10 m
Tree height is 10-20 m


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced occasionally for local consumption.

Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy


Nailing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Holds nails well


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Easy to machine


Strength Properties
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Density33lbs/ft3
Weight3226lbs/ft3
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Density528kg/m3
Weight512416kg/m3

References
Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

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

Falla Ramirez, A.,1971,Resultados de Estudios Fisico-Mechanicos de Algunas Maderas de la Serrania,de San Lucas. (Some timbers of the San Lucas mountain range.,Plegable Divulgativo, Div. Forestal, Inderena Colombia,pp6

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

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

Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98

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

Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29