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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 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 Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Silica Content Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Licania macrophylla Trade Name Marishballi Family Name Chrysobalanaceae Common Names Abure, Anaoura, Anauera, Anaura, Bois Gris, Cana Dulce, Caraipe, Carbonero, Grigri, Gris gris coumate, Gris-gris, Gris-gris rouge, Kairiballi, Kauston, Kauta, Kwepie, Marish, Marishballi, Marishiballi, Merecure de Montana, Monkey Apple, Pin, Pintadinho, Sapote, Sponshoedoe, Sponshout Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Belize, Brazil, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela Common Uses Barge fenders, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Charcoal, Construction, Crossties, Docks, Dockwork, Factory construction, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Naval architecture, Piling, Raft floats, Rafts, Railroad ties, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Rather rare at the periphery of its range Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Distribution Overview Widely distributed in tropical America but is most abundant in the Guianas and the lower Amazon region of Brazil. Frequent in the overflow woodlands of the Amazon estuary but also in upland forests. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Red Orange Purple White Black Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Red Dark brown Reddish brown Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish The heartwood is commonly yellowish brown to brown, or dark brown, and may have a tinge of red Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Green/Grey Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Dimpled on tangential surfaces. Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Even Interlocked Straight Interlocked The wood is typically straight-grained Texture Medium Fine Coarse Medium Fine Fine to medium Stright and closed Medium coarse to coarse Luster Medium Low Slightly lustrous Dull Natural Growth Defects Whitish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Durable Very durable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to marine borers Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to attack from marine borers Moderately durable Durable Very durable Resistance to marine borer attack is high Non durable Durability is variable and is dependent upon species, but it is generally low to moderately low Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Severe Licania woods usually contain high levels of silica Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Checking Distortion Splitting Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Slight spring/bow Slight end splitting No surface checking No end splitting No cupping, generally Moderate twist/warp Moderate spring/bow Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Slowly Moderate Easy Drying is reported to range from easy to moderately difficult, and occurs at a moderate to a rapid rate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bark width is 25-30 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 30-40 mm The tree develops straight, cylindrical boles that may be clear of branches Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Various species in the genus are reported to have very similar characteristics, and are often represented by a general description Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is severe Tungsten tipped cutters may be required to saw or process the wood because of high densities and high silica contents. Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult The wood is difficult to saw because of its high density and high silica content. Specially tipped cutters are required Gluing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Nails hold poorly Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Difficult to plane Planes well, to a good finish Licania woods are very dense, and contain high levels of silica. They have severe blunting effect on cutting edges, and typically require tungsten-tipped cutters to work. Their machinability is often severely affected by their high density and silica content Resistance to Impregnation Softwood can be easily treated Heartwood is permeable Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Difficult to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 61 - 67 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 53 - 60 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 15323 23375 psi Density 59 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2967 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 7095 11174 psi Shearing Strength 1989 psi Stiffness 2418 2740 1000 psi Toughness 209 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 7 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.69 Weight 58 48 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Volumetric Shrinkage 17 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1077 1643 kg/cm2 Density 945 kg/m3 Hardness 1345 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 498 785 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 139 kg/cm2 Stiffness 170 192 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 240 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.69 Weight 929 769 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % References 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 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Horn, E.F.,1948,Teredo Resistant Timbers of the Amazon Valley,Tropical Woods,12(93,pp35-40 Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 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 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