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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. 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 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 Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 4961 7519 psi Crushing Strength 353 500 psi Density 31 lbs/ft3 Hardness 545