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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. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Pterocarpus officinalis Trade Name Bambulo Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Pterocarpus draco Common Names Bambulo, Bebe, Bebe hoedoe, Bois pale, Cacu, Chajada amarilla, Corkwood, Cowee, Drago, Dragon tree, Hoogland bebe, Kaway, Lagunero, Mangle medaille, Moutouchi, Moutouchi de savane, Mucutena, Mututy, Paletuvier, Palo de pollo, Sabrojo, Sang dragon, Sangre, Sangre de drago, Sangre gado, Sangrillo, Sangrito, Swamp bloodwood, Swamp kaway, Waata gwe-gwe, Watra bebe Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico [US], Suriname Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Concrete formwork, Food containers, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Particleboard Environmental Profile Vulnerable Abundant/Secure Heartwood Color White Grey Purple Dark brown Sapwood Color Yellow White to yellow Grain Figure Even Straight Other (figure) Straight Other figure Texture Coarse Medium to coarse Luster High Medium Lustrous Natural Durability Non-durable Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to marine borer attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Drying Defects Distortion Checking Extension of Existing Shakes Discoloration Ring Shakes Ease of Drying Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Fairly Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Easy to machine Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5310 8198 psi Density 31 lbs/ft3 Hardness 657 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1245 1445 1000 psi Weight 30 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 373 576 kg/cm2 Density 496 kg/m3 Hardness 298 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 87 101 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 480 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % References 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 Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1 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 Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London 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 Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.