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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 Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Protium decandrum Trade Name Kurokai Family Name Burseraceae Common Names Alcanfor, Anime, Azucarito, Balsamo, Bois Encens, Breu Branco, Breu preto, Bálsamo, Carano, Chutra, Common kurokai, Copal, Copal caspi, Elimi, Fontole, Incense tree, Incienso, Kurokai, Latilla, Maruwa, Pom, Porokai, Sucuriúba, Tacamahaco, Tingimoni, Tingimonie, Waruwai Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela Common Uses Beams, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Core Stock, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Office furniture, Paneling, Particleboard, Plain veneer, Plywood, Veneer Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The species occurs throughout tropical America, and is most abundant in the Amazon basin. It is frequent in the marsh forests of Guyana. Heartwood Color Brown Red Pink Yellow Purple Black Orange Pale red to pink Brown Reddish brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Pinkish brown Pale brown Occasional reddish-brown streaks may affect appearance Sapwood Color White Pink Brown Yellow Different than heartwood Well defined White to yellow Pinkish Paler than heartwood Same as heartwood Not always clearly defined Grain Interlocked Straight Figure Other (figure) Even Interlocked Straight Other figure Straight to shallowly interlocked Texture Fine Uniform Medium Resinous and oily Even or uniform Coarse Medium to coarse Fine Fine to medium Fine and uniform Luster Low Pronounced Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Gum/resin streaks Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Non-resistant to marine borers Moderately durable Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Vulnerable to dry-wood termites in the West Indies. Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Resin Content Contains considerable amont of odorous, pale-colored resin in bark Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T3 - C2 (4/4) US T3 - C1 (8/4) US Schedule C - UNited Kingdom Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Resin Exudation Splitting Distortion Moderate twist/warp Moderate cupping Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Gum Exudation Slowly Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Moderate Difficult Requires care to minimize seasoning degrade Dries rapidly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Very slow Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Drying rate is slow Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Sapwood width is 20-25 cm Sapwood width is 15-20 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced at a low rate. It is occasionally exported. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Resin in bark is used for incense and medicinal purposes Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Medium effect Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Requires strong hold to prevent chipping of exit holes Moderately easy Easy Carving Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy in non-interlocked areas Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate Gluing Moderate gluing properties Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Interlocked grain effects mortising Easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Requires support at tool exits to prevent breaking out Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Moderate stability Medium Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Planes well, to a good finish Planes to a satisfactory finish Ease of planing is moderate Difficult to plane Areas of interlocked grain may cause tearing Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is modertely permeable Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Wood free from interlocked responds well Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Routing interlocked grain requires special attention Sanding Fair to Good Results Material with interlocked grain requires care Screwing Pre-boring recommended Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Material with interlocked grain requires extra attention Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers moderately easy Veneers easily Difficult to veneer No drying degrade Good gluing qualities Easy to cut Bolt preparation requires steaming There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for peeling Gluing results are variable Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Exudation Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderate Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Surface Preparation Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Surface Preparation Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Resists denting and marring Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = medium Max. crushing strength = low Heavy Hardness (side grain) = medium Density = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11314 17164 psi Density 38 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1087 lbs Impact Strength 28 39 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5726 9128 psi Shearing Strength 2115 psi Stiffness 1650 1939 1000 psi Toughness 250 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 10 15 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.49 Weight 38 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 795 1206 kg/cm2 Density 608 kg/m3 Hardness 493 kg Impact Strength 71 98 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 402 641 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 148 kg/cm2 Stiffness 116 136 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 288 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.70 1.05 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.49 Weight 608 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References 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 Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France. Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1 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 France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France 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. 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 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) Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands Slooten, H.J. van der,1970,Evaluation Study of eighteen Wood Species from Guyana for Veneer and,Plywood Manufacture,Forest Industries Development Survey FAO Report SF/GUY9 Tech. Report,No.13,U.N.D.P. 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