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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. Blunting Effect Boring 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 Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Sterculia pruriens Trade Name Sterculia Family Name Sterculiaceae Synonyms Sterculia ivira, Ivira pruriens Common Names Apote, Axixa, Bofrohoedoe, Boia, Bracaia, Capote, Chicha, Chicha brava, Chichabrava, Envireira, Imbira quiaba, Ivira, Jahoballi, Kobe, Kobe he, Koebehe, Koejethie, Kroekroe amete, Maho, Maho kobe, Mahot cochon, Maipjoerie ietare, Majagua, Maneko, Manmaho, Patoelapo, Pau rei, Smooth leaf maho, Sterculia, Tacacazeiro, Tourou, Tourou-tourou, Tuxapa, Unha d'anta, Yahu Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Coffins, Concrete formwork, Construction, Furniture, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Veneer Environmental Profile Unknown status in natural growth range due to inadequate inofrmation Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The species occurs in the Guianas and northern Brazil. Heartwood Color Red Brown White Yellow Purple Black Orange White to cream Pale brown Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Whitish Reddish brown Sapwood Color Yellow White Same as heartwood White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Straight Figure Rays (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Interlocked Straight Rays figure Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Texture Fine Medium Medium to coarse Coarse Medium Luster Lustrous Slightly lustrous Medium Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Durable Non-resistant to termites Very durable Perishable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Perishable Very little natural resistance Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Liable to blue stain Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 T2-D4 (4/4) US T2-D3 (8/4) US Drying Defects Distortion Splitting Moderate twist/warp Severe twisting/warping Ease of Drying Slowly Moderate Difficult Fairly difficult to penetrate with preservatives Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 0-10 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 50-60 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect High to severe Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Movement in Service Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement Large Not stable/prone to move Looses its shape after manufacture Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Pre-Boring Recommended Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Sharp cutting edges recommended Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Permeable heartwood Heartwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Moderately resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Yields a smooth, clean finish Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Pre-boring recommended Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities Easy to cut There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Bolt preparation requires steaming Steam Bending Poor Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = large Work to Maximum Load = low Weight = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = low Resists denting and marring Hardness (side grain) = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8924 11748 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Hardness 906 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches