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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 Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising 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 Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Vouacapoua americana Trade Name Wacapou Family Name Caesalpiniaceae Synonyms Andira excelsa, Andira pisonis, Andira racemosa, Geoffrea racemosa Common Names Acapu, Amazon wood, Angelim-da-folha-larga, Baaka, Baaka kabi, Berkhout, Blackheart, Bois angelin, Bois perdix, Bois perdrix, Bonti, Bounaati, Bowhanti, Braunherz, Broin-at, Broinharti, Brownheart, Bruinhart, Dakamaballi, Epi de ble, Epi de bleu, Huacapu, Kabbi, Kabi, Partridge Wood, Pilon, Ritangueira, Sara, Sarabebeballi, Sarebeballi, Tjanaren, Tjanaren wakapoe, Tjatjaboetja, Vacapou, Vouacapou, Vouacapouholz, Wacap, Wacapoe, Wacapou, Wakabo, Wakabu, Wakapo, Wakapoe, Wegabaholz Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Structural work, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Status unknown in many of its growth areas Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The genus Vouacapoua consists of three medium-sized to tall and slender tree species with a limited distribution in the non-flooded areas of the eastern and northern regions of the Amazon basin. Wacapou (V. americana) is scattered in the forests in parts of Surinam and French Guiana. The best developed trees are found in the Para State in Brazil. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Red Orange Dark brown Reddish brown Greenish to greyish Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Well defined Whitish Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Brownish white Grain Straight Figure Other (figure) Distinct (figure) Closed Even Interlocked Irregular Stripe (figure) Straight Other figures are possible or common Distinct figure Striped figure Irregular Interlocked Texture Fine Coarse Medium Medium to coarse Fine to medium Luster Lustrous Medium Low Natural Durability Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Very durable Resistant to attack from marine borers Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to decay Durable Odor No specific smell or taste Wood in the green condition has a slight unpleasant odor Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Kiln Schedules Dry at a moderate speed Dry at a slow speed T7 - B3 (4/4) US Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying Defects Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Moderate cupping Slight end splitting Moderate surface checking Slight spring/bow No surface checking No end splitting should be expected No cupping, generally Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Moderate Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Product Sources The handsome, dark colored wood is highly popular in Brazil for heavy durable construction and flooring, and the species is a source of the best timber in French Guiana. The ITTO reports that timber production from the species is low but regular. The timber is exported in low quantities. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Mechanical and physical properties superior to white oak Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Moderate effect Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild Boring Difficult Fair results Easy May be some torn grain Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Power saws have been recommended for conversion Gluing Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Good mortising properties Finishes poorly Movement in Service Medium Stable Small Nailing Possible if prebored Holds nails well Easy to nail Difficult to nail Tends to split during nailing Pre-boring recommended Planing Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Difficult to plane Specially tipped cutters have been suggested Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is highly resistant The heartwood is rated as highly resistant to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Difficult to machine Poor response to hand tools Sanding Easy to sand Yields smooth, clean surfaces Screwing Screwing yields good results Possible if prebored Turning Easy to turn Responds satisfactorily Good results Veneering Qualities Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Bolt preparation requires steaming Painting Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 15242 22364 psi Crushing Strength 1823 2831. psi Density 58 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2033 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 8614 11405 psi Shearing Strength 1971 psi Static Bending 12201 13446 psi Stiffness 2355 2360 1000 psi Toughness 199 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 14 17 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.77 Weight 58 57 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1071 1572 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 128 199. kg/cm2 Density 929 kg/m3 Hardness 922 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 605 801 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 138 kg/cm2 Static Bending 857 945 kg/cm2 Stiffness 165 165 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 229 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.98 1.19 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.77 Weight 929 913 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % 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 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1950,Wakapou (Vouacapoua americana,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.16,pp365-8 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1984,Wacapou - Vouacapoua americana,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Vol. 204 p.65-68 Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, 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 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 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. Ducke, A.,1943,The Most Important Woods of the Amazon Valley,Tropical Woods,12(74,pp1-15 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 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 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., Pereira, J.A.,1965,Madeiras do Brasil,Anuario Brasileiro de Economia Florestal,17(17,PP135-416 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 Mainieri, C.,1978,Fichas de Caracteristicas das Madeiras Brasileiras,Inst. Pesquisas Technologicas Martin-Lavigne, E.,1909,Recherches sur les Bois de la Guyane,Vigot Freres Paris 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 Rizzini, C.T.,1978,Arvores e Madeiras Uteis do Brasil: Manual de Dendrologia Brasileira,Editora Edgard Blucher LTDA Brazil 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 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. Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed. Wangaard, F.F. and A. Kochler and A. F. Muschler. 1954. Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods IV, Tropical Woods, No. 99, Yale University Press, School of Forestry, New Haven, Connecticut. 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.,1940,A List of the Woods arranged according to their resistance to the attack,of,the 'Polilla', the Dry-wood Termite of the West Indies, Cryptotermes,brevis Walker,Caribbean Forester,1(4,PP1-10 Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85 Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13