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Blunting Effect
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
Luster
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Ocotea rubra

Trade Name
Determa

Family Name
Lauraceae

Common Names
Baaka, Bewana, Braloc, Cirouaballi, Determa, Grignon, Grignon franc, Grignon rouge, Grignon rougre, Ishpingo maraco, Laurier, Laurier canelle, Louro rojo, Louro rosa, Louro vermelho, Louru vermelho, Red louro, Surinam mahogany, Teteroma, Teteruma, Wana, Wane, Wanu

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

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

Common Uses
Barge fenders, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Harbor work, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Marine construction, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Roofing, Structural work, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction

Environmental Profile

Status has not been officially assessed

Distribution Overview
The species occurs in the Guianas, Trinidad, and the lower Amazon region of Brazil. It grows on sandy or loamy soils in Guyana.

Heartwood Color

Brown

Red

White

Yellow

Pink

Purple

Orange

Reddish brown

Red

Yellow to golden-yellow to orange

Pale red to pink

Pale reddish brown

The color of the heartwood is described as light reddish-brown with a golden sheen

Sapwood Color

White

Yellow

White to yellow

Different than heartwood

Well defined

Yellowish brown

Paler than heartwood

Grey

Clearly differentiated from the heartwood

Grain

Straight

Figure

Distinct (figure)

Other (figure)

Interlocked

Closed

Even

Wavy

Stripe (figure)

Straight

Distinct figure

Other figure

Interlocked

Wavy

Striped figure

An attractive figure is occasionally present on quartersawn surfaces

Texture

Fine

Medium

Coarse

Fair to medium coarse

Luster

Medium

Lustrous

Pronounced

Natural Durability

Moderately durable

Resistant to termites

Very durable

Perishable

Resistant to marine borers

Non-durable

Susceptible to insect attack

Resistant to powder post beetles

Durable

Resistant to attack from marine borers

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Very durable

Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present

Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack

Moderately resistant to marine borer attack

Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree

Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log

Heartwood resist, particularly to attack by white rot

Heartwood resistant to brown rot

Heartwood moderately resistant to dry-wood termite attack

Excellent weathering characteristics

Resistance to marine-borers is rated as similar to that of teak

Odor

Seasoned material has no specific odor or taste

Kiln Schedules

Dry at a moderate speed

UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5

Dry at a slow speed

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow

T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US

Schedule E - United Kingdom

Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow

Drying Defects

Checking

Internal Honeycombing Possible

Collapse

Distortion

Splitting

Moderate surface checking

Moderate twist/warp

Slight surface checking

Moderate end spitting

Slight twist/warp

Slight end splitting

Moderate collapse and honeycombing

No cupping, generally

Slight spring/bow

No twisting or warping

Moderate spring/bow

Moderate cupping

May warp

May check

Air-Drying may cause the wood to check slightly and warp moderately. Kiln-drying may also cause the timber to check and warp.

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Slowly

Difficult

Moderate

Easy

Fairly difficult to dry

Air dries at a moderate rate

Kiln Drying Rate

Naturally dries slowly

Slow

Drying rate is slow

Naturally dries at a moderate speed

Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm)

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is not buttressed

Bole/stem form is cylindrical

Bole/stem form is buttressed

Tree Size

Tree height is 30-40 m

Tree height is 20-30 m

Sapwood width is 10-15 cm

Sapwood width is 5-10 cm

Bole length is 10-20 m

Bole length is 20-30 m

Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber. The timber is exported regularly, and is imported from Brazil into Venezuela, Germany, China, and Japan.

Comments
A lesser-known-species from tropical America. It is superior to yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) in tension and compression perpendicular to grain, and is close to white oak (Quercus alba) in static bending and compression parallel to grain.

General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as poor

Blunting Effect

Little

Blunting effect on machining is slight

Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate

Slight dulling effect on cutting tools

Cutting Resistance

Easy to saw

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

Gluing

Easy to glue

Difficult to glue

Very good properties

Moulding

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

Movement in Service

Excellent Stability - Small Movement

Small

Medium

Nailing

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Pre-Boring Recommended

Easy to nail

Holds nails well

Planing

Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult

Easy to plane

Slight dulling effect on cutting edges

Responds well to ordinary tools in mortising

It planes, turns, bores, moulds, and mortises rather well.

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood

Resistant sapwood

Heartwood is extremely resistant

Sapwood is moderately resistant

Heartwood is resistant

Response to Hand Tools

Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work

Easy to Work

Easy to machine

Sanding

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

Screwing

Pre-boring recommended

Easy to screw

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

Easy to turn

Veneering Qualities

Suitable for peeling

Veneers easily

Suitable for slicing

Veneers moderately easy

Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts

Diifficult to veneer

Steam Bending

Moderate

Good

Polishing

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Fairly good polishing characteristics

Staining

Fair to Good Results

Finish is generally satisfactory

Strength Properties

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Max. crushing strength = medium

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium

Hardness (side grain) = very soft

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low

Hardness (side grain) = soft

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.

Max. crushing strength = high

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Shrinkage, Volumetric = large

Shrinkage, Volumetric = small

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.

Weight = heavy

Very dense

Surfaces may dent or scratch easily

Soft

Shrinkage, Tangential = very small

Shrinkage, Radial = very small

Max. crushing strength = low

Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	8453	13593	psi
Crushing Strength	539	627	psi
Density		40	lbs/ft3
Hardness		657	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	4528	6753	psi
Shearing Strength		1165	psi
Static Bending	5312	7487	psi
Stiffness	1504	1790	1000 psi
Toughness		74	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	5	8	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.5	0.54
Weight	45	38	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	3		%
Tangential Shrinkage	7		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	11		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	594	955	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	37	44	kg/cm2
Density		641	kg/m3
Hardness		298	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	318	474	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		81	kg/cm2
Static Bending	373	526	kg/cm2
Stiffness	105	125	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		85	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	0.35	0.56	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.5	0.54
Weight	721	608	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	3		%
Tangential Shrinkage	7		%

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

Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1952,Grignon Franc (Ocotea rubra,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.22,pp109-112

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

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

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

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France.

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Dickinson, F.E.,1949,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 1,Tropical Woods,13(95,pp1-140

Edmondson, C.H.,1949,Reaction of Woods from S.America and Caribbean areas to Marine Borers in,Hawaiian Waters,Caribbean Foresters,10(1,PP37-41

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

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Guna et al, S.R.D.,1945,Notes on British Guiana Timbers,The 'Daily Chronicle' Ltd. Printers,28PP

Guyana Forestry Department,1951,British Guiana Timbers - Determa (Ocotea rubra,British Guiana Forestry Department Leaflet,7,4pp

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer, Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

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

Lamb, A.F.A., Wangaard, F.F.,1950,The Gluing Properties of certain Tropical American Woods,Yale Univ. School of Forestry Technical Report,4

Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207

Mainieri, C., Pereira, J.A.,1965,Madeiras do Brasil,Anuario Brasileiro de Economia Florestal,17(17,PP135-416

Mainieri, C.,1971,25 Madeiras da Amazonia de Valor Comercial, Caracterizacas macroscopia,,usos comuns e indices qualificativos,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Publ., No.798

Mainieri, C.,1978,Fichas de Caracteristicas das Madeiras Brasileiras,Inst. Pesquisas Technologicas

Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1942,American Timbers of the Family Lauraceae,Tropical Woods,69,pp7-33

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Rizzini, C.T.,1978,Arvores e Madeiras Uteis do Brasil: Manual de Dendrologia Brasileira,Editora Edgard Blucher LTDA Brazil

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

Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23

Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.

Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.)

Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service

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

Teixeira, D. E., M. A. E. Santana and M. Rabelo de Souza. 1988. Amazonian Timbers for the International Market. ITTO Technical Series 1. Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development, Brazil.

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Tropical Woods,1968,Madeiras Comercias Brasileiras,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo Brazil Publ.,857

Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.

Wangaard, F.F., and A.F. Muschler. 1952. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume III, No. 98. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

Wangaard, F.F., Muschler, A.F.,1952,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 3,Tropical Woods,14(98, pp1-190

Wangaard, F.F.,1951,The Physical Properties of Tropical Woods,F.A.O. For. & For. Prod. Studies Series No.3 Tropical Woods and Ag.,Residues as sources of pulp,pp10-16

Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

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