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Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Distribution Overview
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Grain
Heartwood Color
Luster
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Silica Content
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size

Scientific Name
Pouteria izabalensis

Trade Name
Selillon

Family Name
Sapotaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Abenbele, Acana, Asapoko, Atzapotl, Barata, Caniste, Canistel, Chico zapote, Huicon, Jacana, Jaune d'oeuf, Mamey cerera, Mamon, Nyolon, Sapote culebra, Selillon, Siguapa, Silillon, Ulozapote, Vaquetero, Zapote amarillo, Zapotillo

Regions of Distribution
Central America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Honduras

Common Uses
Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Clogs, Construction, Crossties, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Flooring, Foundation posts, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Mine timbers, Parquet flooring, Posts, Railroad ties, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stakes, Stringers, Windows

Environmental Profile
Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within parts of its range
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant in parts of its range


Distribution Overview
The species occurs in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It grows in humid and very humid forests in the sub-tropics from sea level up to an elevation of about 980 feet (300 m). It prefers well drained soils, and is foun in the Atlantic, Colon, Cortes and Olancho regions in Honduras.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Purple
Pink
Orange
Brown - rose


Sapwood Color
White/Cream
Sapwood blends into heartwood


Grain
Closed
Wavy
Interlocked

Occasionally interlocked, but not always
Generally wavy


Texture
Medium
Medium


Luster
Low
Low


Natural Durability
Perishable
Non-durable
Non-resistant to termites
Susceptible to insect attack
Moderately resistant to decay
Moderately resistant to attack by termites


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
Likely to have significant impact on machining
Contains very high levels of silica (<2.0% of dry weight)


Ease of Drying
Mild conditions recommended
Dries slowly with considerable degrade
Adequate air circulation is recommended for air seasoning


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m


Comments
Generally hard and heavy

Sharp cutting edges are essential

Silica amount makes using machine tools difficult

The wood is similar in properties to White oak (Quercus alba )

Planing
Sharp cutting edges recommended
Planes well, to a good finish


Resistance to Impregnation
Highly resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine


Strength Properties
Resists denting and marring
Hardness (side grain) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Hardness1606lbs
Specific Gravity0.64
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Hardness728kg
Specific Gravity0.64
Radial Shrinkage5%

References
CAOBA International, San Francisco, California. 1993. Personal Communication.

Ramos, R.F.B. and J.L.M. Lagos. 1988. Catologo de Cien Especies Forestales de Honduras : Distribucion, Propiedades y Usos. Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Forestales (ESNACIFOR, Siguatepeque, Honduras.

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