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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 References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Cecropia peltata Trade Name Trumpet wood Family Name Cecropiaceae Common Names Ambahu , Boessi papaja, Bois canon, Cecropia, Cetico, Congo-pump, Guarumo, Imbauba, Pacuna, Trumpet wood, Trumpet-tree, Yagrumo, Yagrumo hembra Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico [US], Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Boxes and crates, Charcoal, Core Stock, Excelsior, Fuelwood, Joinery, Matches, Model airplanes, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Toys, Veneer Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Questionable Rare The environmental status of this species is currently unknown because of lack of information Distribution Overview Throughout tropical America. Abundant in open areas and in forests, both virgin and cutover, often forming almost pure stands. Heartwood Color Brown White Red Yellow Orange Pink Green/grey Purple Highly variable White to cream Pale brown The heartwood is whitish initially, but darkens into a pale brown or oatmeal color upon exposure Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White White to yellow Same as heartwood Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Even Straight Generally straight, but not always Texture Coarse Medium Coarse Typically coarse Luster Low Medium Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Non-resistant to termites Resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to marine borers Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable The sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack The heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable The wood has very little natural resistance to attack by decay fungi, termites, and other wood destroying insects Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Checking Distortion Discoloration Collapse Splitting Internal Honeycombing Possible Slight surface checking Severe twisting/warping Slight twist/warp Severe spring/bow No surface checking No end splitting Moderate twist/warp Moderate cupping Degrade from kiln-seasoning is slight Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Easy Expect moderate degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Air-dries rather well Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries at a moderate speed Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 60-70 m Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm Bark width is 25-30 mm Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is greater than 70 m Certified Source Certified Source Comments Trumpet wood is similar to the North American Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa ) in density and in mechanical properties. Blunting Effect Little Moderate Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Fairly easy to very easy Poor to very poor results Fair to good results Difficult Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Seasoned wood is easier to saw than green material Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Mortising Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes poorly Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Difficult moulding qualities Torn grain and fuzzy surfaces are rather difficult to avoid Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Good nailing qualities Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Planes well, to a good finish Good planing properties Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Difficult to treat with preservatives Wood responds well to pressure-vacuum or open tank treatment after incising or when there is high end-grain content. Resistance to Splitting Excellent Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good sanding finish Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Turns with moderate ease Poor results Finish is generally satisfactory Fuzzy surfaces are rather common in turning operations Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Suitable for slicing Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Polishing Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Varnishing Satisfactory The wood responds very poorly to varnishes and lacquer. Strength Properties