Search for  
 
 
top

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.

Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Heartwood Color
Luster
Mortising
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size

Scientific Name
Crescentia cujete

Trade Name
Alo de calabaza

Family Name
Bignoniaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Figure
Closed
Even
Other (figure)
Rays (figure)
Variable (figure)
Alo de calabaza, Ayal, Ayele, Calabacero, Calabas, Calabasa, Calabash tree, Calabasse, Calabasse maron, Calabazo, Calbas rondo, Calebassier, Camasa, Cirian, Common calabash tree, Cuastecomate, Cuastecomatl, Cuautecomate, Cuiro, Cujete, Guacal, Guaje, Guaje cirial, Guaje cirian, Guiara, Guira, Guiracalabash, Guiro, Higuero, Huaje rician, Huas, Huingo pati, Huiro, Japacary, Jayacaste, Jicara, Jicaro, Kalabassenboom, Kalebas, Kalebass, Mate, Morro, Pati, Pilche, Pog, Taparo

Wild calabaassh

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bahamas, Brazil, Cuba, Guadelope [France], Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States

Common Uses
Boat building: framing, Charcoal, Fuelwood, Tool handles, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Rare


Heartwood Color
Pale brown
White to cream


Sapwood Color
Same as heartwood
Pinkish


Texture
Medium


Luster
High
Lustrous
Low


Natural Durability
Very durable


Odor
Has an odor


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is misshapen


Tree Size
Tree height is 0-10 m


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Boring
Very good to excellent results
Fairly easy to very easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw


Mortising
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Resistant heartwood


Response to Hand Tools
Moderate working qualities
Easy to machine


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength931014566psi
Density39lbs/ft3
Maximum Crushing Strength39166397psi
Weight3831lbs/ft3
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength6541024kg/cm2
Density624kg/m3
Maximum Crushing Strength275449kg/cm2

References
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

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

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1940,American Woods of the Family Bignoniaceae,Tropical Woods,8(63,pp 9-38

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Record, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47

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

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