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Boring
Carving
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
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Silica Content
Staining
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning

Scientific Name
Anacardium excelsum

Trade Name
Espave

Family Name
Anacardiaceae

Synonyms
Anacardium rhinocarpus


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Bouchi-caju, Cahu, Cajarana, Cajou, Caju, Caju assu, Caju da Malta, Caju da matta, Caju do campo, Cajueiro do campos, Cajuhy, Cajuvana, Caracoli, Caschou, Cashu, Espave, Espavel, Espavel amarillo, Espavel rosado, Gran cashew, Hoobodia, Maranon, Maranon de montana, Mija, Mijagao, Mijao, Pomme caju, Quina, Wild cashew

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela

Common Uses
Baskets, Beams, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Vulnerable
Abundant/Secure
Rare
Vulnerable in parts of its habitat and may soon become Endangered if current trends of over-exploitation and habitat destruction persist
Vulnerable in many parts of its natural habitat
May be rare in some parts of its range
Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy

Vulnerable in Panama. Unknown status in Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Venezuela

Distribution Overview
Costa Rica south through Panama to Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Frequently found in coastal areas on well-drained soils.  Almost pure stands report in the Darien Province of Panama.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Pink
Green/grey
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Reddish brown
Brown
Pale red to pink
Greenish to greyish
Turn reddish brown upon exposure
Purple


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Pink
Green/Grey
White to yellow
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Pinkish
Different than heartwood
Straw colored to grayish-white


Grain
Figure
Distinct (figure)
Interlocked
Stripe (figure)
Even
Rays (figure)
Straight

Interlocked
Distinct figure
Striped figure
Distinct figure
Rays figure
Generally straight, but not always

Small dark ray flecks, interlocked grain, and a natural sheen are reported to combine to yield an attractive ribbon figure on quarter sawn surfaces. The wood is frequently and prominently marked by attractive vessel lines.

Texture
Medium
Coarse
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Medium to coarse
Fine


Luster
Medium
High
Low
Lustrous
Pronounced
High
Dull


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Moderately durable
Durable
Perishable
Resistant to termites
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Non durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Durable


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
Siliceous
Likely to have significant impact on machining
Contains silica


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=E US=T6D2/T3D Fr=5
T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Slight surface checking
Slight twist/warp
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate surface checking


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Little degrade
Moderate
Difficult
Dries at a moderate rate with little degrade.


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed


Tree Size
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Easy
Fair results


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Low resistance to sawing


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to glue


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Finishes well
Easy to mortise
Good mortising properties


Moulding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Good moulding properties


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to nail


Planing
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Planes to a poor finish
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Sapwood is treatable
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities
Difficult to machine


Sanding
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor results
Difficult to sand


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to turn
Fair
Difficult to turn


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally satisfactory


Strength Properties
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Max. crushing strength = high
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Max. crushing strength = medium
Max. crushing strength = low


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength49617519psi
Crushing Strength353500psi
Density31lbs/ft3
Hardness545lbs
Impact Strength15inches
Maximum Crushing Strength24964353psi
Shearing Strength900psi
Static Bending31855527psi
Stiffness108312891000 psi
Toughness56inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load46inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.330.33
Weight3026lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength348528kg/cm2
Crushing Strength2435kg/cm2
Density496kg/m3
Hardness247kg
Impact Strength38cm
Maximum Crushing Strength175306kg/cm2
Shearing Strength63kg/cm2
Static Bending223388kg/cm2
Stiffness76901000 kg/cm2
Toughness64cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.280.42cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.330.33
Weight480416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito

Arno, J. 1989. Anacardium excelsum - Espave. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 38-40.

Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux,1955,Nomenclature Generale des Bois Tropicaux,Assoc. Tec. Int. des Bois Tropicaux Nogent-sur-Marne France

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.

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.

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

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.

Cooper, G.P.,1930,Espave (Anacardium rhinocarpus DC,Tropical Woods,3(22, PP4-9

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1943,Foreign Woods,- 2 Notes on Freijo (Cordia goeldiana) and Quaruba,(Vochysia,spp.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Leaflet,No. 29

Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Gerry, E., Kryn, J.M.,1952,Espave (Anacardium excelsum,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,Information Leaflet on Foreign Woods

Hess, R.W., Wangaard, F.F., Dickinson, F.E.,1950,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 2,Tropical Woods,13(97,pp1-132

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

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

Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Record, S.J.,1939,American Woods of the Family Anacardiaceae,Tropical Woods,8(60,pp11-45

Scheffer, T.C., Duncan, C.G.,1947,The Decay Resistance of certain Central American and Ecuadorian Woods,Tropical Woods,12(92, PP1-24

Simpson, W.T. and J.A. Sagoe. 1991. Relative Drying Times of 650 Tropical Woods : Estimation by Green Moisture Content, Specific Gravity, and Green Weight Density. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-71, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Slooten van der, H.J., Martinez, E.P.,1959,Descripcion y propiedades de algunas madeiras Venezolanas,Inst. for Lation Americano de Investigacion y Capaciticion Boletin,Informaturo Dirulgaturo

Smith, N.J.H, J.T. Williams, D.L. Plucknett and J.P. Talbot. 1992. Tropical Forests and their Crops. Comstock Publishing Associates, a division of Cornell University Press, Ithaca.

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

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1948,Notes on Ecuadorian Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information,35,pp5

Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

Venezuela-Laboratories Nacional de Productos Forestates,1974,Caraderisticas, Propiedades y usos de 104 Maderas de los allos Ilanos,occidentales,Min. Ag. y Cria, Universidad de Los andes, Merida, Venezuela Lab.Nac. de,Prod. For.

Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia

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

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

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









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