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Blunting Effect
Boring
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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resin Content
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Hymenaea courbaril

Trade Name
Courbaril

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Hymenaea resinifera


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Common Names
Abati, Abati copal do Brasil, Abati timbary, Alga, Algarobo, Algarrobo, Animebaum, Arati, Arvore copal, Asucar-juain, Avati, Azucar huayo, Bati timbary, Bois de courabaril, Bois de courabil, Bois de courbaril, Bois de simire, Brazilian gum-copal tree, Cacachien, Cachien, Caguairan, Cannariboom, Caouroubali, Caroubier, Caroubier de la Guyane, Cataqui-iamani, Chimidida, Cimiri, Ciruelo, Coapinol, Coapinoloe, Colorado, Comer de arara, Copal, Copalier, Copalier d'Amerique, Copalier de Amerique, Copinol, Copinole, Corobore, Coubaril de savane, Courabil, Courabil hout, Courbaril, Courbaril de savane, Courbaril montagne, Courbaril plum, Courbarilhout, Cuapinol, Cuapinole, Cuapinoli, Cupainol, Curbaril, Diphylle pois confiture, Diphylle pois de confiture, Gaupinol, Gom anime boom, Gomme armimec, Guapinol, Guapinole, Gum-anime tree, Henschreckenbaum, Henschrenkenbaum, Iibiuva, Itaiba, Jassai, Jataby, Jatahy, Jatahy cafe, Jatahy peba, Jatahy roxa, Jatahy roxo, Jatai, Jatai monde, Jatai uba, Jatai-acu, Jataiba, Jataizinho, Jatany, Jatauba, Jatay, Jatei, Jatel, Jatoba, Jatoba de anta, Jatoba de porco, Jatoba roxa, Jatoba trapuca, Jatoba verdadeiro, Jatobs, Jatuba, Jengi kanda, Jetahy, Jetahy accu, Jetahy preta, Jetahy roxo, Jetai, Jetai de Pernambuco, Jetaiba, Jetaici, Jetay, Jetoba roxo, Jetui peba, Julchihout, Jupati, Jut, Jutaahy assu, Jutahy, Jutahy assu, Jutahy cafe, Jutahy catina, Jutahy catinga, Jutahy da varzea, Jutahy do campo, Jutahy do igapo, Jutahy miry, Jutahy peba, Jutahy pororoca, Jutahy roxo, Jutai, Jutai branco, Jutai cafe, Jutai catinga, Jutai da varzea, Jutai do campo, Jutai do igapo, Jutai grande, Jutai mirim, Jutai peba, Jutai pororoca, Jutai roxo, Jutai-acu, Jutany, Jutany de campo, Jutay branco, K'wannarri, Kakanjan boesoe, Karvanari, Kawaknalli, Kawanari, Kwanari, Leather-leaved locust, Leathery-leaved locust, Legno locusta, Locus, Locus semirie, Locusboom, Locust, Locust gum, Locustrier, Lokisi kaka, Lokisie, Loksi, Lokus, Lokustbaum, Marbre, Masaicaran, Moire, Nazareno, Nere, Not, Oleo de jatai, Oleo jatahy, Pacuy, Pak, Pakay, Palito, Palito colorado, Pampa estoraque, Pie de venado, Pois confiture, Quapinole, Quapinole jutahy, Quauhpinolli, Quebra machado, Rode locus, Rode rode locus, Semirie, Simiri, Simiri locust, Simirie, Sirari, South American locust, Spruikhaanboom, Stinking toe, Stinking-toe, Surinaamsch teakhout, Surixkra, Tema, Trapuca, Tsi-tsi-nau, Urapinol, West Indian locust, Westindisch teakhout, Westindsch teakhout, Yatayba, Yutachi, Yutahi, Yutahy, Yutayba yutahy

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadelope [France], Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Boat building, Broom handles, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Crossties, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Handles, Hatracks, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Living-room suites, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture

Environmental Profile
Widespread
Vulnerable with the possibility of extinction in the future
Rather rare in parts of its range expecially at periphery
Globally secure
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant


Distribution Overview
Southern Mexico, throughout Central America and the West Indies to northern Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.  The tree's best development is on ridges or slopes and high riverbanks. Throughout West Indies from Cuba and Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago. Also from central Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and French Guiana. Rarely planted in southern Florida. Ranging from Tropical Dry to Wet through Subtropical Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones.

Heartwood Color
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Brown
Dark brown
Red
Pale brown
Dark brown
Red-salmon
Purple
Darkens upon exposure
Contains dark streaks
Brown-orange
Black


Sapwood Color
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish
Different than heartwood
Whitish


Grain
Interlocked
Straight
Figure
Stripe (figure)
Growth rings (figure)
Even
Distinct (figure)
Other (figure)

Straight
Interlocked
Striped figure
Clear growth rings (figure)
Distinct figure
Other figure
Generally interlocked


Texture
Fine
Medium
Medium to coarse
Medium
Fine to medium
Coarse
Fine


Luster
Medium
Lustrous
Dull
Dull to fairly lustrous


Natural Durability
Perishable
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Very durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Moderate heartwood resistance to marine borers
Heartwood natural resistance to decay is moderate
Heartwood is highly resistant to termite attack


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Resin Content
Contains resin

The bark contains an orange or yellowish resin called South American copal, which is used in the manufacture of special types of varnishes and cements.

Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Dermatitic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a moderate speed
Drying (speed) is fast
Dry at a slow speed
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5
UK= C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3
T3 - C2 (4/4) US
T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid


Drying Defects
Slight surface checking
Slight twist/warp
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate spring/bow
Severe spring/bow
Moderate surface checking
Slight end splitting
Severe twisting/warping
Moderate cupping
Slight spring/bow
Slight cupping
No twisting or warping
No surface checking
No end splitting
No cupping, generally


Ease of Drying
Difficult
Moderate
Easy
Dries rapidly
Difficult to air dry


Kiln Drying Rate
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Tree height is 10-20 m


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber for export.

Supplies of Courbaril are rather limited on the US market, but the material may be available on the European market.

Comments
Cells may contain dark gum-like deposits

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Generally strong and durable

It is similar to the African species, Tchitola (Oxystigma oxyphyllum), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ), and is superior to White oak (Quercus alba ). Fossilized gum from the bark of the species usually appears in excavations which might suggest the presence of Courbaril at such sights in the past

Blunting Effect
Medium effect
Blunting effect on machining is moderate
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe


Boring
Easy
Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult


Gluing
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties


Mortising
Finishes well
Easy to mortise
Difficult to mortise


Moulding
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Difficult to mould


Movement in Service
Medium
Seasoned wood is stable

The timber is stable after seasoning to the proper moisture content, and undergoes minimal dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions

Nailing
Difficult to nail
Easy to nail
Nails hold poorly
Holds nails well


Planing
Difficult to plane
Planes to a poor finish
Planes well, to a good finish
Ease of planing is moderate
Tension & interlocked grain may cause woolly surfaces
Reduction of cutting angle prevents tearing in areas of irregular grain
Planes to a satisfactory finish
Carbibe tipped tools recommended


Resistance to Impregnation
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Good
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Moderate working qualities
Poor response
Easy to machine


Sanding
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand
Good sanding qualities


Screwing
Screwing yields satisfactory results
Possible if prebored
Holds screws well


Turning
Good results
Easy to turn
Difficult to turn


Veneering Qualities
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Suitable for slicing
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Very good
Good


Painting
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Poor results
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Good staining qualities


Varnishing
Very well
Satisfactory


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Max. crushing strength = high
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Max. crushing strength = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Max. crushing strength = very high
Hardness (side grain) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1204019032psi
Crushing Strength16071842psi
Density55lbs/ft3
Hardness2551lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength60199349psi
Shearing Strength2543psi
Static Bending775211662psi
Stiffness175421721000 psi
Toughness225inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load1216inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.680.83
Weight5442lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength8461338kg/cm2
Crushing Strength112129kg/cm2
Density881kg/m3
Hardness1157kg
Maximum Crushing Strength423657kg/cm2
Shearing Strength178kg/cm2
Static Bending545819kg/cm2
Stiffness1231521000 kg/cm2
Toughness259cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.841.12cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.680.83
Weight865673kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage8%

References
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Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

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Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brazier, J.D., Franklin, G.L.,1967,An Appraisal of the Wood Characteristics and Potential Uses of some,Nicaraguan Timbers,FAO for Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Brazil -, I.B.D.F.,1980,Woods from Tucurui - characteristics and application,The Ag. Ministry Brazilian Institute for Forest Development

Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

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Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

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Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

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