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. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Luster Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Scientific Name Krugiodendron ferreum Trade Name Acero Family Name Rhamnaceae Synonyms Rhamnidium ferreum, Rhamnus ferreus, Scutia ferrea, Ceanothus ferreus, Condalia ferrea Common Names Acero, Axe-master, Bariaco, Black ironwood, Bois de fer, Carey de Costa, Chimtoc, Ciguamo, Cocoyo, Coronel, Espejuelo, Guatafer, Hueso de Tortuga, Ironberrey, Ironwood, Leadwood, Manggel cora, Palo de hierro, Palo diablo, Quiebra-hacha, Quiebrahacha Regions of Distribution Central America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico [US], Trinidad and Tobago, United States Common Uses Cabinetmaking, Charcoal, Fuelwood, Posts, Railroad ties, Turnery, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Purple Black Red Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Straight Even Texture Fine Fine Luster Pronounced Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately durable Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bark width is 0-5 mm Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 79 lbs/ft3 Weight 77 59 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Density 1266 kg/m3 References Britton, N.L., Millspaugh, C.F.,1920,The Bahama Flora,Britton & Millspaugh,New York 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 Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara Lamb, G.N.,1951,Foreign Woods - Black Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum, Banuyo,(Wallaceodendron celebicum, East African Camphor (Ocatea usambarensis,,Supa (Sindora supa) and Sepetir (Sindora Sp.,Wood and Wood Products 56(12) pp44-5 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 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Schiffino, J.,1945,Riqueza Forestal Dominicana (Three volumes,Secretaria de Estado de Agric. Ind. y Trabajo