Search for  
 
 
top

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.

Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
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
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Prioria copaifera

Trade Name
Cativo

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Algorrobillo, Amansamujer, Amanza muger, Cabimbo, Cabimo, Cabino blanco, Camiba, Camibar, Canime, Cativo, Cativo blanco, Cativo negro, Cautivo, Copachu, Copahyba, Copaiba, Copaibarana, Curucai, Eativo, Floresa, Kartiva, Muramo, Palo de aceite, Red cativo, Spanish walnut, Tabasara, Tabosara, Taito, Timbo y ata, Trementino, White cativo

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

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela

Common Uses
Bedroom suites, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Plain veneer, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Stools, Structural plywood, Tables , Trimming, Utility furniture, Utility plywood, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Rare
Status unknown in many of its growth areas
Status unknown due to inadequate data
Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within parts of its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center


Distribution Overview
The species occurs in the lowland regions from Nicaragua to Colombia, and is often found in pure stands.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Purple
Green/grey
Pale brown
Brown
Dark brown
Reddish brown
Often attractively sreaked
Light brown
Brown - medium value
Black


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Pink
Red
White to yellow
Pinkish
White to light pink
Oily exudations create dingy surfaces


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

Straight
Striped figure
Weak figure
Wavy
Interlocked


Texture
Fine
Uniform
Fine
Medium
Fine to medium
Fine and uniform


Luster
Medium
Low
High
Lustrous
Dull
Pronounced
Superficially dull, golden luster underneath


Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin exudation


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Durable
Perishable
Resistant to termites
Non-durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Sapwood non-resistant to furniture beetles
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non durable
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Perishable
Vulnerable to white-rot fungi
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Durable


Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3
T3 - C2 (4/4) US
T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow


Drying Defects
Distortion
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Ring Shakes
Collapse
Checking
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
No surface checking
Slight twist/warp
Slight spring/bow
No twisting or warping
Slight end splitting
Expect resin/gum exudation
No end splitting
Slight collapse and honeycomb
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate spring/bow


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Rapidly
Slowly
Medium to High Shrinkage
Requires special attention
Easy
Difficult
Dries rapidly with little degrade


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Kiln drying rate (green to 12% mc) is slow, longer than 28 days for a board under 32 mm, to more than 84 days for a board 63 mm and thicker.


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is buttressed


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


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber. The timber is exported at a low but regular rate.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Substitutes
Substitute for Birch (Betula)


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Oil exudations are common

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Little
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Slight


Boring
Very good to excellent results
Fairly easy to very easy
Easy
Best if bored in dry condition


Carving
Seasoned wood is generally easier to work


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Surfaces tend to be woolly
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue


Mortising
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mortise
Mortising in dry condition is best


Moulding
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to mould
Poor moulding results
Moulding qualities improve with seasoning


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Small


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Planing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is permeable
Permeable


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to machine
Seasoned wood works well
Moderate working qualities


Routing & Recessing
Fairly good response to preservative treatment


Sanding
Good sanding finish
Difficult to sand
Best with seasoned wood


Screwing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to turn
Good results


Veneering Qualities
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
No drying degrade
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Moderately easy to veneer
Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moderate
Fairly good response to preservative treatment


Painting
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Requires care because of gum content
Poor results


Staining
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally satisfactory


Strength Properties
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Weight = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Density = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength54158153psi
Crushing Strength441510psi
Density29lbs/ft3
Hardness625lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength22343890psi
Shearing Strength1006psi
Static Bending31755949psi
Stiffness99111841000 psi
Toughness86inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load57inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.380.41
Weight2925lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%
Volumetric Shrinkage9%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength380573kg/cm2
Crushing Strength3135kg/cm2
Density464kg/m3
Hardness283kg
Maximum Crushing Strength157273kg/cm2
Shearing Strength70kg/cm2
Static Bending223418kg/cm2
Stiffness69831000 kg/cm2
Toughness99cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.49cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.380.41
Weight464400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage5%

References
Barbour, W.R.,1952,Cativo (Prioria copaifera,Journal of Forestry,50(2,PP96-9

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,1965,Quel est le Bois nomme Cativo (Prioria copaifera)?,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.103,pp59-60

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.

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. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,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.

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.

Cooper, G.P.,1928,Some Interesting Trees of Western Panama,Tropical Woods,2(14,PP1-8

Davis, E.M.,1949,Exploratory tests in machining and related properties of 15 Tropical,American Hardwoods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,Report,No.1744

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

Fleischer, H.O.,1956,The Longitudinal Shrinkage of Cativo (Prioria copaifera,Tropical Woods,15(105,PP1-5

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42

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

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

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

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., Kryn, J.M.,1958,Cativo (Prioria copaifera,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series No.1998

Kukachka, B.F.,1965,Cativo (Prioria copaifera,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Research Note,095

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

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

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

Schmieg, K.,1927,Notes on Cabinet Woods,Tropical Woods,2(9,PP1-3

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]

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

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









Search the web for anything relating to wood and forest products.

























Search the web for anything relating to wood and forest products.