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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
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Simarouba amara

Trade Name
Simarouba

Family Name
Simaroubaceae

Synonyms
Quassia simaruba, Simaruba amara, Simaruba officinalis, Cupania glabrata


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acajou Blanc, Accituno, Aceituno, Adonichi, Adoonsidero, Aku, Aruba, Assoumaripa, Bitter ash, Bitterash, Bitteresche, Bitterwood, Bois blanc, Bois de cayan, Brazilian white pine, Caixeta, Cedro Amargo, Cedro Blanco, Chiriuana, Cuna, Guitarro, Malacacheta, Marouba, Maruba, Marupa, Marupauba, Megrito, Mountain damson, Negrito, Olivo, Pao pomba, Paradise tree, Parahyba, Paraiba, Pasa-ak, Pau parahyba, Pitomba, Roba, Shirima, Simarouba, Simarruba, Simaruba, Simarupa, Simere, Soemaroeba, Soemaroepa, Stavewood, Tamanqueira, Walkara, Xpasak, Yaku

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Blockboard, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Cooperages, Core Stock, Cutting surfaces, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matchboxes, Matches, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Office furniture, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stools, Tables , Toys, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Veneer, Wainscotting, Wardrobes

Environmental Profile
Status has not been officially assessed


Distribution Overview
The genus Simarouba consists of shrubs and small, medium-sized, or large trees that are widely distributed in tropical America. Their growth range extends through northern South America from Venezuela and the Guianas to the Amazon region of Brazil, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. S. amara grow principally in the Guianas and the Amazon region in Brazil.

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
Yellow
Orange
Purple
White to cream
Yellow-Brown to bright yellow, often with a greenish tinge
Pale brown
Whitish, straw-colored, or cream white to yellow


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Same as heartwood
White to yellow
Not distinct from heartwood


Grain
Straight
Weak (figure)
Figure
Even

Straight
Weak figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Medium to coarse
Uniform
Fine to medium
Coarse
Coarse to medium


Luster
Pronounced
Lustrous
Highly lustrous


Natural Durability
Durable
Very durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to termites
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi
Non durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Perishable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Durable
Very low natural resistance to decay and attack by termites
Very durable
Susceptible to attack by termites and dry wood insects


Odor
No distinct odor or taste
Bitter, quinne-like taste


Toxicity
Non-toxic


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Checking
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting
No twisting or warping
Slight twist/warp
No surface checking
No end splitting
No cupping, generally
Moderate end spitting
Generally free from spring and bow
Slight tendency to warp and check during drying
Severe end splitting
Blue-stain may occur


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Slowly
Easy
Difficult
Air dries rapidly, with little degrade


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Bole length is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber production from the species is regular but exportation is rather low.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Oily streaks are occasionally present

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Very slight blunting effect on cutting tools


Boring
Easy
Responds readily to ordinary tools in boring operations to produce clean surfaces


Carving
Responds readily to carving operations


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Low resistance to sawing, but freshly felled logs may split due to internal stresses


Gluing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to glue
Bonds well with all types of industrial adhesives


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mortise with ordinary machine tools


Moulding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mould
Bores readily with ordinary tools, with very good results


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Dimensionally stable after seasoning


Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to nail
Holds nails well
Fair to poor nailing properties


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Easy to work in planning and almost all machine operations
Clean, finished surfaces
Can be planed to a smooth finish


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is permeable
Satisfactory preservative absorption and retention


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Good routing qualities


Sanding
Good sanding properties


Screwing
Easy to screw
Poor to satisfactory screwing properties


Turning
Turned surfaces are generally clean and smooth
Good results
Easy turning operations
Difficult to turn


Veneering Qualities
Easy to cut
Veneers tend to be fragile
Veneer dries relatively rapidly, with little degrade except slight tendency to split
Uf or PF type glues
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Suitable for peeling
Peeled at room temperature or after moderate steaming at about 160 degrees F (65 C)
Peel and slice easily because they are typically well-formed and not very hard


Painting
Good results
Takes paint without difficulty
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Grain filling after sanding is reported to give the best surface finishing results
Good polishing properties after filling
Good finishing properties


Staining
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Good results
Satisfactory


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Volumetric=very small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Weight=Medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Not hard
Dents and marrs easily
Density=Average/Medium
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending stength in air-dried condition...is medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength65069886psi
Crushing Strength372588psi
Density26lbs/ft3
Hardness382lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength31015172psi
Shearing Strength1108psi
Static Bending38226154psi
Stiffness117113211000 psi
Toughness65inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load45inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.370.38
Weight2825lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength457695kg/cm2
Crushing Strength2641kg/cm2
Density416kg/m3
Hardness173kg
Maximum Crushing Strength218363kg/cm2
Shearing Strength77kg/cm2
Static Bending268432kg/cm2
Stiffness82921000 kg/cm2
Toughness74cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.280.35cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.370.38
Weight448400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
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

Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1952,Simarouba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.26,pp389-92

Brazier, J.D.,1975,Properties and uses of Brazilian woods,Journal of the Institute of Wood Science,7(2,pp50-57

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Caribbean Commission,1952,Information on properties of timbers gathered by questionnaire and,collated in the secretariat of the Caribbean Commission including some,related data from technical literature.,Caribbean Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad Caribbean Timbers, their,Utilization and Trade within the area CTUTA/1/Doc.7 + App.1-18

Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant, and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, 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

Echenique-Manrique, R., Diaz Gomez, V.,1969,Algunas Caracteristicas Technologicas de la Madera de once Especies,Mexicanas. (Some technological characteristics of the wood of eleven,Mexican species.,Inst. Nac. Inv. For. Mexico Boletin Tecnico,27

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

Guna et al, S.R.D.,1945,Notes on British Guiana Timbers,The 'Daily Chronicle' Ltd. Printers,28PP

Hess, R.W., Wangaard, F.F., Dickinson, F.E.,1950,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 2,Tropical Woods,13(97,pp1-132

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

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

ITTO. New Marketable Species Technical Notes. Prepared by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, 94736 Nogent-sur-marne Cedex, France

Kukachka, B.F.,1960,Marupa (Simarouba amara Aubl.,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series No.1956 (Revised)

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

Lang, W.G.,1954,Forest Utilization in Saint Lucia British West Indies,Caribbean Forester 15 pp120-3

Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207

Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil

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

Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands

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

Reyes, L.J. 1938. Philippine Woods. Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Technical Bulletin 7, Commonwealth of the Philippines, Bureau of Printing, Manila.

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23

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

Slooten van der, H.J., Martinez, E.P.,1959,Descripcion y propiedades de algunas madeiras Venezolanas,Inst. for Lation Americano de Investigacion y Capaciticion Boletin,Informaturo Dirulgaturo

Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London

Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford

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

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

Teixeira, D. E., M. A. E. Santana and M. Rabelo de Souza. 1988. Amazonian Timbers for the International Market. ITTO Technical Series 1. Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development, Brazil.

Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia

Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.

Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57

Wangaard, F.F., and A.F. Muschler. 1952. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume III, No. 98. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

Wangaard, F.F., Muschler, A.F.,1952,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 3,Tropical Woods,14(98, pp1-190

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Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13









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