ARARACANGA (Aspidosperma megalocarpon)
Trade Name
Araracanga
Scientific Name
Aspidosperma megalocarpon Mull. Arg.
Family
APOCYNACEAE
Common Names
Volador; Sibadanni; Piquia marfim; Pelmax; Ocre; Maparana; Malaria; Malady; Kromanti kopi; Jacamim; Huichichi; Gavetillo; Costillo; Copachi; Chicique; Chichique; Chichica; Chichi; Bois macaque; Bayalte; Ballester; Ararauba da terra firme; Alcarreto; Araracanga (Brazil); My Lady; Hielillo Blanco
Scientific Name Synonyms
Macaglia megalocarpa (Mull. Arg.) Kuntze; Aspidosperma matudae Lundell; Aspidosperma cruentum Woodson; Aspidosperma chiapense fo. tenax Matuda
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The size of the mature tree is reported to be small to medium, attaining heights up to 20 to 30 m, and diameters of about 40 to 60 cm. The boles are often straight and cylindrical, covered with a typically ridged bark. Aspidosperma species exudate a milk
Natural Habitat
Aspidosperma megalocarpon is a common canopy tree of the lowland seasonal rainforest, it prefers moist soils. The timber is exploited on a small scale.
Natural Distribution
A. desmanthum is reported to occur from southern Mexico, through Central America, down to Colombia, it is also found in the Guyanas.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Vessels exclusively solitary (over 90%). Tyloses common. Intervessel pits small, 7 micras or less. Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Fibers with distinctly bordered pits.
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Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
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Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
Odor and taste are indistinct.
Color
The sapwood is not clearly demarcated from the heartwood. The heartwood is bright orange pale brown to reddish brown, sometimes with rose veins.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
5
Grain
The grain is straight to interlocked.
Texture
The texture is medium and uniform.
Natural Durability
The species is reported to have moderate natural resistance to decay.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
3
Resistance To Impregnation
The response to preservative treatment is reported to vary, but is generally poor.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.88
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
1.02
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
12.0
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
8.3
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: Drying is fairly easy; some difficulties could occur when drying too fast. Drying Defects: No particular risks of drying defects, subject to normal drying conditions. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
US-T7-B3; UK-E
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
1.4
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
2054
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
274000
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1020
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
156
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
1400
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
1508
Workability
Sawing
It is reported to respond well but it requires care in cutting.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
This timber is interesting for slicing.
Sliced Veneer
This timber is interesting for slicing.
Blunting Effect
Blunting effect is rated as moderate.
Planing
The material is reported to plane easily.
Moulding
Molding is easy, giving smooth surfaces.
Mortising
The wood is normally very easy to mortise.
Nailing
Pre-boring is recommended in nailing.
Gluing
Gluing properties are reported to be satisfactory.
Sanding
Sanding properties are satisfactory.
Finishing
This species is reported to finish smoothly.
Polishing
Polishing characteristics are reported to be excellent.
Response To Hand Tools
The wood is reported to work well with hand tools despite its hardness.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
EXTERIOR GENERAL, crossties, HOUSING GENERAL, flooring, frames, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, CONTAINERS, truck bodies, truck flooring, NAVAL CONSTRUCTION, port pillar
Exterior General
- 1 - Tabela de resultados de ensaios fisicos e mecanicos
Crossties
- 8 - Maderas latinoamericas. III, Podocarpus standleyi ,Podocarpus oleifolius, Drims granadensis, Magnolia poasana y Didymopanax pittieri
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Flooring
- 14 - Handbook of Hardwoods
Frames
- 16 - Woods of the World
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Truck Body
- 53 - Timbers of the New World
Truck Flooring
- 54 - Bulletin of the Government Forest Experiment Station N.157: Identification of Tropical Woods
Shipbuilding
- 55 - Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America
Port Pillar
- 61 - Manual de Diseño para Maderas del Grupo Andino
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