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Blunting Effect
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
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Pithecellobium saman

Trade Name
Monkey Pod

Family Name
Leguminosae

Synonyms
Pithecellobium saman


Wood Image 1

Common Names
Acacia, Aguango, Algarrobo, Algarrobo de pais, Algarrobo del pais, Almacigo blanco, Arbol de la lluvia, Arbre a pluie, Belati siris, Bois noir de Haiti, Bordao de velho, Campano, Carabali, Carabaly, Carreto, Carreto real, Cenicaro, Cenicero, Compano, Cow tamarind, Cow tamrind, Daugeni, Dormilon, French tamarind, Genizaro, Genizero, Giant tibet, Gipio, Gouannegoul, Gouannegowl, Guango, Huacamayo chico, Huacamayo-chico, Huacamayochico, Lara, Licorice, Locorice, Mazhamaram, Monkey Pod, Monkeypod, Nidaraganneru, Rain tree, Raintree, Sa, Samag, Samagu, Saman, Sanaguare, Sanguare, Tabaca, Thinbaw-kokko, Thungomonji, Thungumunji-maram, Urero, Zorra

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii [US], Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, Suriname, Vanuatu, Venezuela

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boards, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Dressed boards, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Food containers, Foundation posts, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lumber, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rough boards/dimension stock, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stakes, Stools, Tables , Tables, Toys, Trimming, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Woodwork

Environmental Profile
Widespread, abundant and globally secure
May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Some long-term concern for the species


Distribution Overview
The genus Pithecellobium consists of shrubs and trees that are distributed in the tropical regions of the world. Monkey pod (P. saman) grow in forests and at the edge of forests, alongside roads and pathways in central and eastern Paraguay. It is also reported to grow from the Antilles to Paraguay, and is widely planted and naturalized throughout the West Indies, Mexico southward, and in other tropical regions including Africa where it grows in towns, villages and alon roadsides. It prefers well-drained fertile soils. An introduced species from South America, Monkey pod is also often planted as a shade tree in several parts of India, Burma, and the Andamans.\The genus Pithecellobium consist of shrubs and trees that are distributed in the tropical regions of the world. Monkey pod (S. saman) grow in at the edge of forests, alongside roads and pathways in central and eastern Paraguay. It is also reported to grow from the Antilles to Paraguay, and is widely planted and naturalized throughout the West Indies, Mexico southward, and in other tropical regions, including tropical Africa, where it grows in towns, villages and along roadsides. It prefers well-drained fertile soils. An introduced species from South America, Monkey pod is also often planted as a shade tree in several parts of India, Burma, and the Andamans. \

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Pale brown
Dark brown
Brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Golden-Brown to dark brown
Red
Pale red to pink

Wood vessels contain shiny, brown deposits.

Sapwood Color
White
White to yellow
Well defined
Wide
Cream
Clearly distinct from heartwood


Grain
Straight
Figure
Interlocked
Other (figure)
Closed
Even
Wavy
Stripe (figure)

Straight
Interlocked
Other figure
Wavy, often interlocked
Wavy
Striped figure


Texture
Fine
Medium
Resinous and oily
Coarse
Medium
Medium to coarse
Fine to medium


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Medium


Natural Growth Defects
Gum and mineral deposits


Natural Durability
Very durable
Durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Very durable
Varied resistance to biodegradation
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack by termites
Prone to blue stain
Durable under water
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Non durable
Moderately resistant
Moderately durable
Heartwood susceptible to attack by decay fungi
Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Sawdust can cause eye irritation


Kiln Schedules
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) rapid
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Moderate twist/warp
Slight surface checking
No surface checking
Moderate spring/bow
Slight twist/warp
Slight cupping
Severe spring/bow
Minute end-checks may develop during drying
Slight end splitting
Severe twisting/warping
No end splitting
Moderate surface checking


Ease of Drying
Slowly
Reconditioning Treatement
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Dries easily, with very little degrade
Moderate
Difficult


Kiln Drying Rate
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

It is also a favorite shade tree

Well known Monkey pod of commerce, favored for wooden bowls, etc.

Blunting Effect
Little


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
Moderately easy
Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results)
Easy

Material containing interlocked grain may develop torn and woolly surfaces

Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable
Saws well
Material containing interlocked grain may develop torn an wooly surfaces
Easy to saw
Difficult to saw


Gluing
Easy to glue


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Mortises well in general, except in material with interlocked grain
Finishes well


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good moulding properties


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planes well, to a good finish
Tears and wooly surfaces may develop in planing operations of interlocked grain materials
Ease of planing is moderate


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Fairly resistant to impregnation
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is permeable


Resistance to Splitting
Good


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Variable qualities
Difficult to machine
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Generally good routing qualities


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good sanding properties
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Turned surfaces tend to be wooly because of interlocked grain
Easier to turn
Poor results
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
Diifficult to veneer
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Easy to cut


Polishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Excellent polishing characteristics


Varnishing
Satisfactory


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = medium
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage Volumetric = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
High in density
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Resists wearing and marring
Max. crushing strength = low
Hardness = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Resists denting and marring
Heavy
Hardness (side grain) = soft

Being much weaker than White oak or Teak in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content)

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength789610201psi
Crushing Strength6651105psi
Density40lbs/ft3
Hardness951lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength37256028psi
Shearing Strength1714psi
Static Bending46204820psi
Stiffness105711971000 psi
Toughness112inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load10inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.340.48
Weight3927lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage3%
Volumetric Shrinkage6%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength555717kg/cm2
Crushing Strength4677kg/cm2
Density641kg/m3
Hardness431kg
Maximum Crushing Strength261423kg/cm2
Shearing Strength120kg/cm2
Static Bending324338kg/cm2
Stiffness74841000 kg/cm2
Toughness129cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.70cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.340.48
Weight624432kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage3%

References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Powder Post Beetle Lyctus Species,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.6

Alston, A.S.,1982,Timbers of Fiji: Properties and potential uses,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva

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.

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62

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.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Burns, L.V.,1942,Roofing Shingles in Jamaica,Caribbean Forester 4(1) pp9-15

Chowdhury, K.A. and S.S. Ghosh. 1958. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume I - Dilleniaceae to Elaeocarpaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

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

Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

EcoTimber International, San Francisco, California. Personal Communication, 1993.

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

Fiji Forestry Department,1969,Fiji Timbers and their uses - the properties and potential uses of,Raintree (Samanea saman,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva

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

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Lauricio, F. M., Bellosillo, S. B., The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods, The Lumberman, 12(5):A-H.

Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249

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

Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205

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

Magnus, K.E., Seaforth, C.E.,1965,Samanea saman Merrill : The Raintree. A Review,Tropical Science,7(1,PP6-11

Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London

Ramesh, Rao K., Purkayastha, S.K.,1972,Indian Woods - Their Identification Properties and Uses,Dehra Dun India,Vol. 3

Rao, K.R. and S.K. Purkayastha. 1972. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume III - Leguminosae to Combretaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

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

Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

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

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

Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford

Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29

Tropical Timber Information Center U.S.A.,1975,Saman (Samanea saman,State Univ. New York TTIC Brief,29

Wangaard, F.F., et al,1954,Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods 4,Tropical Woods,14(99, pp1-187

Williams, L. 1936. Woods of Northeastern Peru. Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series, Volume XV, Publication 377, Chicago.









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