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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
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
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
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
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Rhizophora mangle

Trade Name
Mangle Colorado

Family Name
Rhizophoraceae

Common Names
African mangrove, Ak elel, Apareiba, Atrati, Black mangrove, Candel, Candelon, Kakutiru, Mangel tan, Mangle, Mangle caballeto, Mangle colorado, Mangle de chifle, Mangle dulce, Mangle gateador, Mangle geli, Mangle injerto, Mangle pecho de pava, Mangle rojo, Mangle roso, Mangle salado, Mangle zapatero, Manglegeli, Mangro, Mangrove, Mangue, Mangue bravo, Mangue sapateiro, Mangue vermelho, Mangu� sapateiro, Ntand, Paletuvier, Paletuvier rouge, Pulapul, Purgua, Red mangrove, Woto

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

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gabon, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, Senegal, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Venezuela

Common Uses
Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Canoes, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Construction, Cooperages, Crossties, Factory construction, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Piling, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Tannin, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wharf construction

Environmental Profile

Endangered

Abundant/Secure

Rank of relative endangerment based on number of occurences globally.

May be rare in some parts of its range

Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure globally

Data source is Nature Conservancy

Heartwood Color

White

Pink

Red

Reddish brown

Pale red to pink

Red

Purple

Dark brown

Yellow to golden-yellow to orange

Brown

Dark brown

Initially light red in color, but it deepens to dark red or reddish brown, sometimes with a purple cast. The wood has a superficial resemblance to Black cherry (Prunus serotina ).

Sapwood Color

White

Yellow

White to yellow

Well defined

Different than heartwood

Pinkish

The sapwood is yellowish, pinkish, or grayish near the bark and turns towards darker shades of pink as it merges into the heartwood. It is reported to typically account for half or more of the log's volume, except in very mature trees.

Grain

Figure

Straight

Other (figure)

Stripe (figure)

Even

Interlocked

Straight

Other figure

Striped figure

Interlocked

Normally straight

Irregular occasionally

Stripes occasionally show purple highlights in the darker bands.

Texture

Fine

Even or uniform

Uniform

Fine

Fine to medium

Similar to that of Black cherry

Luster

Slightly lustrous

Non-lustrous

Natural Durability

Perishable

Very durable

Non-durable

Durable

Susceptible to marine borer attack

Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Very durable

Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Moderately durable

Resistant to wood staining fungal attack

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Resistant to attack from marine borers

Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack

Heartwood resistant to decay

Heartwood susceptible to attack by marine borers and dry-wood termites.

Odor

Has an odor

No specific smell or taste

Light-Induced Color Change

Darker

Kiln Schedules

Dry at a moderate speed

Drying Defects

Uneven Moisture Content

Moderate twist/warp

Moderate surface checking

Moderate end spitting

Warping can be expected

Surface checks

Severe twisting/warping

Severe surface checking

End checks

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Rapidly

Thick Stock Requires Care

Reconditioning Treatement

Moderately Difficult to Difficult

Easy

Difficult

Degrade can be severe

Air dries moderately easy

High tangential to radial shrinkage ratio may also contribute to high drying stresses.

Kiln Drying Rate

Naturally dries quickly

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is unknown

Bole/stem form is straight

Tree Size

Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Tree height is 20-30 m

Tree height is 30-40 m

Tree height is 10-20 m

Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm

Clear logs that are 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 m) long, are harvested occasionally, although this is very infrequent, since the tree often develops several low branches to compete for available sunlightThe trees, which are borne on aerial roots, are reported to often form impenetrable thickets.

Product Sources
Regenerates readily and is still plentiful within its growth range, despite recent destruction of parts of its habitat by real estate developers in southern Florida.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

The bark of the tree is reported to contain high levels of tannin (30% of ovendry weight), which is used commercially to process hides and leather

Blunting Effect

Little

Boring

Fair to good results

Fairly easy to very easy

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult

Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult

Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate

Gluing

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Very Good to Excellent Results

Difficult to glue

Mortising

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Moulding

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Movement in Service

Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement

Excellent Stability - Small Movement

Stable

Nailing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Possible if prebored

Holds nails well

Planing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Easy to plane

The material is generally difficult to plane, bore, mould, and work in almost all machining operations because of its high density. Material with straight grain tends to yield smooth, finished surfaces

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood

Permeable sapwood

Resistant sapwood

Heartwood is resistant

Sapwood is resistant

Response to Hand Tools

Easy to Work

Responds Readily

Difficult to machine

Moderate working qualities

Easy to machine

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Sanding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Responds well

Screwing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Capable of producing smooth surfaces with scrapers or abrasives

The wood is fine-textured and is very suitable for turnery work.

Veneering Qualities

Veneers easily

Veneers moderately easy

Suitable for peeling

No drying degrade

Steam Bending

Poor to Very Poor Results

Polishing

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Staining

Fair to Good Results

Strength Properties

Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft

Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft

Max. crushing strength = high

Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Bending strength (MOR) = high

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Max. crushing strength = very high

Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

High in density

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Air-Dried condition about 12% moisture content

It is far superior in strength to either Teak or Hard maple. It is very hard, and may be difficult to process with ordinary tools. It is very resistant to wear. It is exceptionally heavy, weighing much more than White oak or Teak

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	16027	24694	psi
Density		60	lbs/ft3
Hardness		2705	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	7450	11933	psi
Shearing Strength		2493	psi
Stiffness	2360	3019	1000 psi
Specific Gravity	0.87
Weight	59	51	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	10		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	14		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	1126	1736	kg/cm2
Density		961	kg/m3
Hardness		1226	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	523	838	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		175	kg/cm2
Stiffness	165	212	1000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity	0.87
Weight	945	817	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	10		%

References
Acosta-Solis, M.,1959,Los Manglares del Ecuador,Inst. Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales Contribucion,No.29

Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito

Arno, J. 1991. Rhizophora mangle - Mangrove. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 313-314.

Arroyo, P.,1970,Propiedades y Usos Posibles de los Mangles de la Region del Rio San Juan,en,la Reserva de Guarapiche (Estado Mohagas,Inst. Forestal Latino-Am. de Invest. Venezuala Boletin, No.33-34

Bena, P.,1960,Essences Forestieres de Guyane,Bureau Agricole et Forestier Guyanais Guyana

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

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

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

Flores Rodriguez, L.J.,1969,Description Caracteristicas y usos de 25 Maderas tropicales,Mexicanas,Camera Nacional de la Industria de la Construccion Serie Maderas de Mexico

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

Gonzalez Oretega, J.,1934,Candelon - Rhizophora mangle L.,Bole. de Pro-Cultura Regional, Mexico 1(41) pp14-16

Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102

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

Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London

Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Lamb, G.N.,1956,Foreign Woods - Jelutong (Dyera lowii) and Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle,Wood and Wood Products 61(3) p33

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

Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad

Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London

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

Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47

Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.

Scheffer, T.C., Duncan, C.G.,1947,The Decay Resistance of certain Central American and Ecuadorian Woods,Tropical Woods,12(92, PP1-24

Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service

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

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

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1948,Notes on Ecuadorian Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information,35,pp5

Tropical Timber Information Centre,1966,Fichas Tecnologicas - Las Principales Maderas comerciales del,Mundo,Assoc. Invest. Tec. Ind. Bol. Inform. Tec.,4(21,pp25-32

Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

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