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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Sterculia apetala Trade Name Chicha Family Name Sterculiaceae Common Names Anacaguita, Anacahuita, Bellota, Cacaguillo, Camajonduro, Camajuru, Camarcu, Camoruco, Catsano, Chiapas, Chica, Chicha, Cicha, Panama, Panama-tree, Pate de danta, Pistache des Indes, Sunsun Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela Common Uses Boxes and crates, Canoes, Interior construction, Millwork, Particleboard, Plywood Environmental Profile Unknown status in natural growth range due to inadequate inofrmation Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The growth range of the species extends from southern Mexico through Central America to Peru and Brazil. It is also cultivated for its edible fruits and as a source of honey in several tropical areas. Heartwood Color White Brown Green/grey Reddish brown Pale brown Yellowish brown Light brown Sapwood Color Brown White White to yellow Yellow Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Figure Even Straight Growth rings (figure) Other (figure) Irregular Straight Straight to irregular Other figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Medium Coarse Medium Coarse Luster Low Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to marine borers Susceptible to insect attack Very little natural resistance Liable to blue stain Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Distortion Severe collapse and honeycomb Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Responds well to slow air-seasoning Easy Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planing Finished surfaces may be fuzzy Easy to plane Material from Panama is reported to yield fuzzy surfaces in planing. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is permeable Heartwood is highly resistant Absorption is fair to good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = light Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Resistance to denting and marring is low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 3510 5403 psi Crushing Strength 255 343 psi Density 27 lbs/ft3 Hardness 427 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 2161 4113 psi Shearing Strength 715 psi Static Bending 3009 4557 psi Stiffness 1009 1199 1000 psi Toughness 47 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 2 3 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.37 Weight 25 23 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 246 379 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 17 24 kg/cm2 Density 432 kg/m3 Hardness 193 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 151 289 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 50 kg/cm2 Static Bending 211 320 kg/cm2 Stiffness 70 84 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 54 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.14 0.21 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.37 Weight 400 368 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References 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 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 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 Wangaard, F.F., W.L. Stern, and S.L. Goodrich. 1955. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume V, No. 103. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.