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Blunting Effect
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Platymiscium pinnatum

Trade Name
Macacauba

Family Name
Leguminosae

Common Names
Aceituno montes, Brazilian paduak, Cachimbo, Caoba, Chamnbilo, Cocobolo, Cotin, Coyote, Cristobal, Dukalaballi, Foncontin, Granadillo, Hormigo, Imera junera, Koenatepia, Maca wood, Macacahuba, Macacauba, Macacauba preta, Macacauba vermelha, Macacawood, Macahuba, Masa wood, Monkey wood, Mulato, Nambar, Nambar bastardo, Ormigo, Palo santo, Panama redwood, Panama wood, Quira, Roble, Roble blanco, Roble colorado, Roble montanero, Roble negro, Sinkra, Subinche, Tasajo, Tepezapote, Trebo, Trebol, Trebol negro, Uvedita, Vencola, Yama, Yama cocobolo, Yama rosewood, Zrok, Zubinche

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

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Bridge construction, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Railroad ties, Structural work, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile

Environmental status not officially assessed

Distribution Overview
The species occurs in Central and South America, and is found in Nicaragua, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Guyana, Colombia, Trinidad, and Surinam.

Heartwood Color

Red

Brown

Purple

Pink

Reddish brown

Red

Purple

Often darker variegated red or purple streaks

Fine veins

Bright red, purplish-red, or light reddish-brown

Sapwood Color

White to yellow

Well defined

Grain

Figure

Straight

Even

Stripe (figure)

Distinct (figure)

Interlocked

Straight

Striped figure

Distinct figure

Interlocked

Interlocked and irregular

Texture

Fine

Medium

Medium

Fine

Uniform

Fine to medium

Luster

Low

Lustrous

Pronounced

Natural Durability

Durable

Perishable

Resistant to marine borers

Non-durable

Moderately durable

Durable

Very durable

Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)

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

Odor

No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules

Dry at a slow speed

Dry at a moderate speed

Drying Defects

Tendency to chrck and end-split during drying

Moderate twist/warp

Moderate surface checking

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Rapidly

Moderate

Dried under carefully controlled conditions to avoid degrade

Difficult

Kiln Drying Rate

Naturally dries quickly

Tree Size

Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm

Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Bole length is 10-20 m

Bole length is 0-10 m

Tree height is 30-40 m

Tree height is 10-20 m

Tree height is 50-60 m

Tree height is 0-10 m

Tree height is 40-50 m

Product Sources
The species is in high demand in Brazil, and is used locally for dug out canoes. The name Vinhatico is applied to several wood genera which are similar in color and have weights of 35 to 40 pounds per square feet (560 to 640 kg/cu.m).

The species is also reported by the ITTO to be an important source of timber for export.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Little

Gluing

Glues well

Movement in Service

Excellent Stability - Small Movement

Small movement in use

Dimensionally stable

Nailing

Fair to Good Results

Very Good to Excellent Results

Good nailing characteristics

Planing

Sharp tool edges recommended to prevent pick-up when planing material containing interlocked and egular grain

Reduced cutting angle recommended

Resistance to Impregnation

Resistant heartwood

Permeable sapwood

Resistant sapwood

Heartwood is moderately resistant

Response to Hand Tools

Easy to Work

Easy to machine

Moderate working qualities

Difficult to machine

Stock containing irregular grain requires sharp cutting edges for best results

Responds well to hand tools

Screwing

Fair to Good Results

Very Good to Excellent Results

Screws without difficulty

Turning

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fair to Good Results

Worked surfaces are relatively clean, especially if cutting edges are sharp

Special attention needed for timber containing irregular and interlocked grain

Responds generally well to ordinary machine tools

Machining properties vary with density

Veneering Qualities

Suitable for peeling

Veneers easily

Veneers moderately easy

Steam Bending

Responds poorly to steam bending operations

Painting

Fair to Good Results

Poor to Very Poor Results

Polishing

Fair to Good Results

Good results

Satisfactory results

Polishes o a smooth surface

Staining

Fair to Good Results

Good staining qualities

Strength Properties

Bending strength (MOR) = high

Max. crushing strength = high

Hardness (side grain) = very hard

Shrinkage, Radial = very small

Shrinkage, Tangential = very small

Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft

Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft

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

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high

Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft

Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft

Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Max. crushing strength = very high

Hardness (side grain) = hard

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Max. crushing strength = medium

Very high

Very high density

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Macacauba is moderately strong in bending, crushing, and response to impact loads, but is low in stiffness

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	17100	21438	psi
Crushing Strength	1784	2078	psi
Density		58	lbs/ft3
Hardness		3013	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	8200	11123	psi
Shearing Strength		2545	psi
Static Bending	13495	15141	psi
Stiffness	1948	2245	1000 psi
Work to Maximum Load		9	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.79	0.9
Weight	57	47	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	2		%
Tangential Shrinkage	4		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	6		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	1202	1507	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	125	146	kg/cm2
Density		929	kg/m3
Hardness		1366	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	576	782	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		178	kg/cm2
Static Bending	948	1064	kg/cm2
Stiffness	136	157	1000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load		0.63	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.79	0.9
Weight	913	753	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	2		%
Tangential Shrinkage	4		%

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

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

Falla Ramirez, A.,1971,Resultados de los estudios Fisico-Mecanicos de 41 especies Maderables de,la,region Carare-Opon. (Results of studies of the physical and mechanical,properties of 41 timber species of the Carare-Opon region.,Inst. de Desarrollo de los Recursos Naturales Renovables. Div. For.,Pleagble Divulgativo, Inderena Colombia,pp6

Fors, A.J.,1949,Maderas Industriales de Colombia,Caribbean Forester,10(3,pp161-96

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

Hoheisel, H., Karstedt, P.,1967,Identification of Ecuadorian Wood Sp. for possibilities of Utilization on,the basis of Technological Results,Institito Forestal Latino-Americana Merida Venezuala

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

Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

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

Kynoch, W., Norton, N.A.,1938,Mechanical Properties of certain tropical woods chiefly from S. America,School of Forestry and Conservation, University of Michigan Bulletin,No.7

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California.

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

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

Saks, E.V.,1954,Tropical Hardwoods for veneer Production in Mexico,Caribbean Forester,15(3&4, pp112-9

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

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

Slooten, H.J. van der, Venezuela-Laboratories Nacional de ProductosForestates,1971,Maderas Latino americanos 6 Bursera simaruba, Poulsenia armata,,Pterocarpus officinalis y Ficus werckleana,Turrialba,21(1,pp69-76

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

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

Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57

Wangaard, F.F., W.L. Stern, and S.L. Goodrich. 1955. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume V, No. 103. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

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

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