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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 Carving Certified Source 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 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 Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Brosimum utile Trade Name Sande Family Name Moraceae Common Names Amapa doce, Amapa rana, Amapadoce, Arbol de leche, Arbol de vaca, Avichuri, Barimiso, Capomo, Caucho macho, Cavo, Cedro montanes, Cocal, Cow tree, Cuqua, Mastate, Milk tree, Murere rana, Ogechi, Ojoche, Palo de leche, Palo de vaca, Palo de vaga, Sande, Vacuno Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela Common Uses Balusters, Bent Parts, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Construction, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Fiberboard, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Moldings, Office furniture, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Skis, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Veneer, Woodwork Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Widespread Status unknown in many of its growth areas Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) Likely rare at the periphery of its range Globally secure Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview Mexico and Central America to tropical South America.Tropical, lowland, moist, non-seasonal, broadleaved, closed forest. Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Purple Black Orange Green/grey Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Yellowish white Yellowish brown Red Red tinge at the core Light brown Greenish white Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Green/Grey Pink Color not distinct from heartwood White to yellow Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Rays (figure) Even Silver tint (figure) Straight Interlocked Rays figure Straight to shallowly interlocked Silver tinted figure sometimes Texture Fine Medium Coarse Medium Medium coarse to coarse Luster Medium High Pronounced Slightly lustrous High Natural Durability Very durable Durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Very little natural resistance Susceptible to termite and dry-wood insect attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T5 - C3 (4/4) US Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Warping can be expected Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Distortion (twist/warp) is likely Wood with tension wood may warp during drying. The material may also distort and check Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Variable Rapidly Easy Air-dries rapidly and easily, with little degrade, little care needed Kiln Drying Rate Very slow Drying rate is slow Naturally dries at a moderate speed Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 0-10 m Product Sources The ITTO reports that an important source of timber. The timber is exported regularly. Certified Source Certified Source Comments Abnormal Wood Tissue General finishing qualities are rated as good Some material may contain tension wood which tends to affect machining operations. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on sawing is mild Boring Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Internal stresses and fuzzy grain from tension wood causes cutters to burn from pinching Easy to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Good properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Sharp cutting edges are necessary for easy mortise Very sharp cutting edges are necessary because of fuzzy grain Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult He moulding properties of the wood are good, but cutting edges should be kept very sharp. Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Pre-Boring Recommended Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Holds nails well Good nailing properties Easy to nail Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Requires sharp cutting edges Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to Work Easy to machine Excellent response Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Sanding Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good sanding finish Easy to sand Screwing Pre-boring recommended Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds screws well Good screwing properties Easy to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Painting Excellent results Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good to excellent results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally good Staining properties are good Varnishing Very well Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low