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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 Common Names Common Uses Corrosive Properties Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Scientific Name Guaiacum sanctum Trade Name Bastard lignum Family Name Zygophyllaceae Synonyms Guaiacum guatemalense Common Names Bastard lignum, Beera, Boeloebarie, Gaiac blanc, Gaiac femelle, Guayacan blanco, Guayacan de vera, Guayacancillo, Holywood lignum vitae, Lignum vitae, Palo santo, Pastard pockenholts, Vera, Wajakaa maatsjoe, Wayaka shimaron Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bahamas, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico [US], United States, Venezuela Common Uses Bearings & bushings, Boat building (general), Brush backs & handles, Marine construction, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Sporting Goods, Turnery Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Heartwood Color Red Brown Purple Pink Greenish to greyish Black Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color Yellow White Pink White to yellow Well defined Grain Interlocked Figure Rippled (figure) Growth rings (figure) Variable (figure) Interlocked Rippled figure Variable figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Medium Coarse Fine Luster Low Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Gum/resin streaks Natural Durability Moderately durable Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Light-Induced Color Change Darker Corrosive Properties Non-corrosive Kiln Schedules UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries at a moderate speed Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 10-20 m Bole length is 0-10 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 0-10 m Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate 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 Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Medium Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to plane Resistance to Abrasion High Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Turns with moderate ease Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 71 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2940 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Weight 70 58 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Density 1137 kg/m3 Hardness 1333 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 References Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 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 Timber Development Association,1943,Timber Leaflet no. 86 Lignum Vitae,TRADA Timber leaflet U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series