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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 Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Movement in Service Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Silica Content Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Scientific Name Eschweilera odora Trade Name Baakalaka Family Name Lecythidaceae Synonyms Eschweilera matamata Common Names Baakalaka, Baikaaki, Balibon, Black kakarakli, Kakaralli, Kouanda, Mahot noir, Manbarklak, Mata-mata, Mata-mata preta, Smooth leaf kakaralli Regions of Distribution Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Heavy construction, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Piling, Poles, Railroad ties, Wharf construction Heartwood Color Yellow Orange Brown Pale brown Greenish to greyish Reddish brown Dark brown Sapwood Color White to yellow Different than heartwood Grain Straight Even Straight Texture Medium Fine Coarse Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Durable Very durable Perishable Non-durable Very durable Resistant to attack from marine borers Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Silica Content Severe Moderate silica contact Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Resin Exudation Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting No twisting or warping No cupping, generally Drying degrade due to spring and bow tends to be moderate Drying degrade due to spring and bow tends to be slight Ease of Drying Gum Exudation Moderate Difficult Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bark width is 10-15 mm Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is severe Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Movement in Service Medium Large Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Moderate working qualities Polishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = over 75 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 14087 21277 psi Density 54 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2318 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 1989 psi Stiffness 2167 2494 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 11 14 inch-lbs/in3 Weight 53 53 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 990 1495 kg/cm2 Density 865 kg/m3 Hardness 1051 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2 Stiffness 152 175 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.77 0.98 cm-kg/cm3 Weight 849 849 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % References Amos, G.L.,1951,Some siliceous timbers of British Guiana,Caribbean Forester (3; 4) 133-7, 139-40. Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1985,Mahot noir - Eschweilera odora Miers.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Ducke, A.,1943,The Most Important Woods of the Amazon Valley,Tropical Woods,12(74,pp1-15 Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1 Horn, E.F.,1948,Teredo Resistant Timbers of the Amazon Valley,Tropical Woods,12(93,pp35-40 Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed. Wangaard, F.F., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187