The Wood Explorer Database.

Search for

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

Scientific Name
Virola surinamensis

Trade Name
Light virola

Family Name
Myristicaceae

Synonyms
Myristica fatua, Myristica sebifera, Myristica surinamensis, Nux Moschata, Virola mycetis

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Anakin, Andiroba, Baboen, Baboenhout, Baboenoedoe, Baboon, Baboonhout, Baboonwood, Babun, Banak, Becuiba, Bicuhyba, Bogamani, Bucuiba, Cajuca, Cajuea, Camala, Camaticaro, Cebo, Cedrillo, Chaliviande, Chalviande, Couaie, Cuajo, Cumala, Dalli, Dallie, Dollywood, Guingamadou, Guinguamadou, Irikwa, Kilikowa, Light virola, Mandalli, Moonba, Moulomba, Moussigot, Muscadier a grive, Nuanamo, Nutlet, Palo de Sangre, Pintri, Quinquamadou, Sangre, Sangre Colorado, Sangrino, Sebo, Shempo, Swamp dalli, Ucuhuba, Ucuuba, Ucuuba branca, Virola, Waroesi, We, Wild nutmeg, Y. Marccage., Yamadou, Yamamadou, Yayamadou de marecage, Yayamadou marecage

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

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Netherlands, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Beams, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Cigar boxes, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Posts, Veneer

Environmental Profile

Status unknown in many of its growth areas

Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Considered vulnerable in its natural habitat because its numbers are threatened by serious adverse factors throughout its range. However, the species likely exists today in relatively large numbers.

Distribution Overview
The genus Virola consists of about 38 small to large trees that are common in the mixed hardwood forests of Central and South America. The species are distributed from Belize and Guatemala southward to Venezuela, the Guianas, the Amazon region of northern Brazil, southern Brazil as well as on the Pacific Coast, to Peru and Bolivia. The most widely distributed of the species, V. surinamensis , occurs in some of the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, the Guianas, southern Venezuela, and parts of Brazil.

Heartwood Color

Yellow

Brown

Pale brown

White to cream

Pale red to pink

Reddish brown

Pinkish brown

Greenish to greyish

Golden brown with a reddish cast

Sapwood Color

Color not distinct from heartwood

Paler than heartwood

Grain

Straight

Even

Figure

Weak (figure)

Straight

Weak figure

Texture

Fine

Medium

Medium to coarse

Medium

Fine to medium

Coarse

Luster

High

Lustrous

Slightly lustrous

Medium

Low

Natural Durability

Durable

Moderately durable

Non durable

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

Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log

Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack

Perishable

Susceptible to marine borer attack

Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi

Logs need prompt extraction and conversion or water storage to avoid degrade by pinhole borers.

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Light-Induced Color Change

Darker

Kiln Schedules

UK=D US=T3D2/T3C1

T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US

Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid

Drying (speed) is fast

Drying Defects

Checking

Moderate end spitting

Moderate collapse and honeycombing

No surface checking

Slight spring/bow

No end splitting should be expected

No cupping, generally

Moderate surface checking

Moderate cupping

Collapse

Checking

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Reconditioning Treatement

Little degrade

Easy

Moderate

Difficult

Dries well under good controlled conditions

Dries slowly

Kiln Drying Rate

Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is buttressed

Bole/stem form is cylindrical

Bole/stem form is straight

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a very important source of timber for export. The timber is imported from Brazil into United States, Eastern Europe, Japan, Venezuela, and Canada.

The large quantities of Ucuhuba seeds exported from the Para State in Brazil are produced by V. surinamensis .

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as poor

Red bark contains red sap lflows like blood

Blunting Effect

Blunting effect on machining is slight

Boring

Fairly easy to very easy

Fair to good results

Easy

Respond readily to ordinary machine tools in boring operations

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Easy to carve

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

Easy to saw

Gluing

Easy to glue

Good properties

Mortising

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Fair to Good Results

Good mortising properties

Easy to mortise

Moulding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Good moulding properties

Easy to mould

Cleaned smoothly

Movement in Service

Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement

Excellent Stability - Small Movement

Medium

Nailing

Easy to nail

Holds nails well

Resists splitting

Holds satisfactorily

Planing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Easy to plane

Yields a clean surface

Planes well, to a good finish

Planes to a smooth surface

Planes to a poor finish

Difficult to plane

Resistance to Impregnation

Heartwood is permeable

Preservative absorption in the heartwood is adequate

Resistance to Splitting

Good

Response to Hand Tools

Responds Readily

Easy to Work

Easy to machine

Works readily with handtools

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Recess without difficulty

Sanding

Yields smooth, clean surfaces

Screwing

Easy to screw

Good screwing properties

Good screw holding properties

Turning

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Easy to turn

Good results

Some grain pick-up may occur, but can be dressed smoothly

Veneering Qualities

Easy to cut

Suitable for slicing

Suitable for peeling

Steam Bending

Poor

Buckle severely when compressed

Painting

Satisfactory results

Polishing

Satisfactory results

Good results

Staining

Finish is generally satisfactory

Stains well

Finish is generally good

Varnishing

Satisfactory

Good results

Strength Properties

Hardness (side grain) = very soft

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium

Hardness (side grain) = medium

Bending strength (MOR) = very low

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low

Hardness (side grain) = soft

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large

Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low

Bending strength (MOR) = high

High density

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	5533	9453	psi
Crushing Strength	195	265	psi
Density		33	lbs/ft3
Hardness		541	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	2401	4603	psi
Shearing Strength		940	psi
Stiffness	1520	1832	1000 psi
Toughness		60	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	4	8	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.41	0.51
Weight	35	31	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	9		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	15		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	389	664	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	13	18	kg/cm2
Density		528	kg/m3
Hardness		245	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	168	323	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		66	kg/cm2
Stiffness	106	128	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		69	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	0.28	0.56	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.41	0.51
Weight	560	496	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	5		%
Tangential Shrinkage	9		%

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,1955,Baboen (Virola sp.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.39,pp25-8

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1984,Yayamadou Marecage - Virola surinamensis Warb.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Vol. 203 p.60

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA., Forest Service, Preliminary Copy, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brazil -, I.B.D.F.,1980,Woods from Tucurui - characteristics and application,The Ag. Ministry Brazilian Institute for Forest Development

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

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

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

Carter, D.T.,1943,The Manufacture of shingles from local woods in Trinidad and Tobago,Caribbean Forester,4(3,pp107-11

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

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

France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12

Garratt, G.A.,1933,Systematic anatomy of the woods of the Myristicacaeae,Tropical Woods,5(35,pp6-48

Hoheisel, H.,1968,Identification of some Colombian wood Sp. and their possible use on the,basis of physical and mechanical properties,Latin American Forest Research and Training Institute, Merida Venezuala

Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242

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

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

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

Mainieri, C.,1971,25 Madeiras da Amazonia de Valor Comercial, Caracterizacas macroscopia,,usos comuns e indices qualificativos,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Publ., No.798

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

Martin-Lavigne, E.,1909,Recherches sur les Bois de la Guyane,Vigot Freres Paris

Mell, C.D.,1937,Properties and uses of Baboon or Banak wood,Veneers - Plywood 31(9) pp9-10

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

Record, S.J. and R.W. Hess. 1943. Timbers of the New World. Published on the Charles Lathrop Pack Foundation, Yale University Press, New Haven CT.

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

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

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

Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.)

Slooten, H.J. van der, Gonzalez, M.E.,1970,Mederas Latinoamericanos 5 Carapa sp., Virola koschnyi, Terminalia lucida,y Brosimim costaricanum,Turrialba,20(4,pp503-10

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

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operator's Manual - Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

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.

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85

Search the web for anything relating to wood and forest products.