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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
Natural Growth Defects
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
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Tabebuia serratifolia

Trade Name
Lapacho

Family Name
Bignoniaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acapro, Akkeja, Akkekeja, Ala-onni, Ala-ore, Alahorre, Alan-che, Alcapro, Alumbre, Amapa, Amapa prieta, Amapa priete, Amapa prieto, Aoka, Arabore, Araguaney, Arahoni, Aravaney, Arawnig, Arawnig-yek, Arco, Arcwood, Arowore, Arra-ore, Arrhonee, Aruain, Bastard lignum vitae, Bethabara, Bois d'ebene verte, Bois d'evilasse, Bow wood, Bow-wood, Caexeta, Canada, Canaguate, Canahuate, Chicala, Cogwood, Coralibe, Cortes, Cortes amarillo, Cortez, Cortez amarillo, Cortez colorado, Cortez de venado, Corteza, Cortés, Courali, Curari, Curarire, Ebano verde, Ebene soufre, Ebene vert, Ebene verte, Echahumo, Enbotta-koenatjepre, Flor amarillo, Greenheart, Grenhatti, Grienharti, Groenhart, Groenhati, Guayacan, Guayacan polvillo, Gupariba, Hackia, Hackoyia, Haekia, Hahuache, Hakia, Hakkea, Ijzerhout, Ipe, Ipe amarillo, Ipe cascudo, Ipe de varzea, Ipe do compo, Ipe folhas roxas, Ipe jabotica, Ipe preto, Ipe roxo, Ipe tabaco, Ipe una, Irontree, Ironwood, Konawadranup, Lapachillo tally, Lapacho, Lapacho amarillo, Lapacho blanco, Lapacho crespo, Lapacho negro, Lapacho rosa, Lignum vitae, Lubre, Madera negra, Makagrien, Makka groenhart, Mangienhatti, Mano de leon, Masicaran, Noibwood, Pao d'arco, Pao d'arco amarillo, Pao d'arco roxo, Pau d'Arco, Pau darco, Penda, Polvillo, Poui, Pui, Quebracho, Quiarapaiba, Ranoi, Roble, Roble cinero, Surinam greenheart, Tabebuia, Tahua, Tahuari, Tamura tuira, Tauary, Taye, Tayi, Urupariba, Verdecillo, Washiba, Wasiba, Wasieba, Wassiba, Wehete, Whoua-whoua, Woile, Xha-hua-che, Yellow guayacan, Yellow poui

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Bearings & bushings, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Cooperages, Crossties, Decks, Decorative veneer, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Figured veneer, Fishing rods, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Naval architecture, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Raft floats, Rafts, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Shafts/Handles, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Questionable
Vulnerable
Widespread
Rare in some parts of its range, particularly at the periphery
Globally secure
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant


Distribution Overview
Distributed widely from Colombia to Bolivia, the Guianas, and southeastern Brazil. It is descrbed as ecologically diverse, especially in the Brazilian mata atlantica. It occurs mostly in more or less seasonal forests on well-drained lateritic soils in the Amazons, but also grows on richer or sandy soils and even into the cerrado in sub-Amazonian Brazil. The tree is usually found near sea level up to an elevation of 3940 feet (1200 m).

Heartwood Color
Brown
Purple
Red
Pink
Greenish to greyish
Brown
Dark brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Pale brown
Light/Dark streaks
Brown - olive
Black


Sapwood Color
White
White to yellow
Well defined
Different than heartwood
Pinkish
Whitish


Grain
Figure
Straight
Other (figure)
Rippled (figure)
Distinct (figure)
Even
Interlocked
Variable (figure)

Straight
Other figure
Rippled figure
Variable figure
Interlocked
Distinct figure
Straight to very irregular and interlocked
Distinct and very fine figure


Texture
Resinous and oily
Coarse
Medium
Fine
Fine to medium
Medium
Oily appearance


Luster
Low
Medium
Slightly lustrous
Lustrous
Medium
Low


Natural Growth Defects
Yellowish deposits in vessels


Natural Durability
Durable
Very durable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Heartwood susceptible to marine borer attack
Heartwood is resistant to termite and dry wood insect attack
Heartwood has little resistance to termites
Durable


Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Toxicity
Dermatitic effects
Respiratory effects


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5
T3 - C1 (4/4) US
Schedule E (4/4) United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Collapse
Distortion
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting
Slight cupping
No twisting or warping
No end splitting

Moderate end spitting

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Easy


Kiln Drying Rate
Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)


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


Tree Size
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber. The timber is exported regularly. The wood is imported from Brazil into Italy, Argentina, United States, Barbados, and Venezuela.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Similar in properties to Tabebuis guajacan from Honduras and T.heterotricha from Panama

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Interlocked slightly to moderately
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Moderately easy


Carving
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Very difficult
Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate


Gluing
Fair to Good Results
Carefully Controlled Conditions
Surface Preparation
Surface preperation improves gluing


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Moulding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Reduction of cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Small
Stable


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Poor to Very Poor Results
Possible if prebored


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Reduction of cutting angle recommended
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Sapwood is permeable
Highly resistant
Heartwood is resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine
Moderate working qualities
Poor response


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Sanding
Easy to sand


Screwing
Possible if prebored
Good screw holding properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results
Turns with moderate ease
Material with interlocked grain should be avoided
Good turning characteristics


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Yeild highly decorative veneers
Diifficult to veneer


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Poor


Painting
Surface preparation may imporve results
Difficult to paint

Surface preparation to remove yellowish lapachol powder may improve painting qualities.

Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Surface Preparation
Good results
Generally polishes well

Occasionally yellowish, powdery deposits of lapachol may interfere with polishing

Staining
Surface Preparation
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally good
Stains well


Varnishing
Powdery deposits make varnishing difficult


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high
Max. crushing strength = very high
Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Very hard
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
May require special tools to process
Density = very high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium

The species is considerably stronger than White oak or Teak.The weight is exceptionally high, even in the seasoned condition. It is much heavier than Teak or White oak

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength2013725864psi
Density59lbs/ft3
Hardness3342lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength992013203psi
Shearing Strength2396psi
Stiffness270830281000 psi
Work to Maximum Load2121inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.91.04
Weight5852lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage13%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength14151818kg/cm2
Density945kg/m3
Hardness1515kg
Maximum Crushing Strength697928kg/cm2
Shearing Strength168kg/cm2
Stiffness1902121000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load1.471.47cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.91.04
Weight929833kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage5%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Andy Poynter. 1993. Personal Communication

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

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.

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

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

Edmondson, C.H.,1949,Reaction of Woods from S.America and Caribbean areas to Marine Borers in,Hawaiian Waters,Caribbean Foresters,10(1,PP37-41

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

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

Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

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

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.,1940,American Woods of the Family Bignoniaceae,Tropical Woods,8(63,pp 9-38

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

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.

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

Vazquez, I. 1991. Puy - Tabebuia serratifolia (Vahl) Nicholson. Serie Maderas Comerciales de Venezuela, Ficha Tecnica No. 24. Instituto Forestal Latinoamericano, Merida, Venezuela, Marzo, 1991.

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

Wangaard, F.F., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Plants Programme, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.









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