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BUCA (Sterculia colombiana)

Trade Name

Buca

Scientific Name

Sterculia colombiana Sprague

Family

STERCULIACEAE

Common Names

Buca (Ecuador); Gomo Blanco (Colombia); Zapate (Colombia); Zapote (Colombia); Acatuyo Yura (Ecuador); Sapote (Ecuador); Bocahue (Ecuador)

Scientific Name Synonyms

Sterculia solitudinis Mildbr.; Sterculia diguensis Cuatrec.

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

The trees are reported to reach heights of 30 m, with trunk diameters of 60 cm.

Natural Habitat

Sterculia colombiana is reported to be common in the primary tropical rain forests below 800 m above the sea level.

Natural Distribution

Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

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Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Vessels in tangential pattern. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Axial parenchyma aliform. Axial parenchyma confluent. Axial parenchyma oblique and/or sinuous. Rays less than 4 per mm (rare). Occasionally rays as wide or wider than the pores. Rays of two distinct sizes. Larger rays width 0. 1 mm or more and 2 mm or more in height. Larger rays more than 4 seriate.

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Odor

Seasoned wood has no characteristic odor or taste.

Color

The white sapwood is clearly differentiated, sometimes with greenish tones, the heartwood is light brown with pink bands.

Grain

It has straight grain.

Texture

The texture is typically medium to coarse.

Luster

This species has low to moderate luster.

Natural Durability

The wood of the Sterculia group has low resistance to biological degrade.

Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)

5

Resistance To Impregnation

Timber of this group is reported to offer no difficulties to preservative treatments.

Wood Physical Properties

Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)

0.45

Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)

0.49

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying: It is reported to dry rapidly. Drying Defects: Slight warping is reported. Collapse is reported in the darker streaks of the wood especially when kiln drying.

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)

856

Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

116000

Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

406

Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

43

Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)

296

Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)

398

Workability

Sawing

Cutting resistance is generally low.

Rotary Veneer Cutting

This species is reported to have good characteristics for lamination.

Sliced Veneer

This species is reported to have good characteristics for lamination.

Blunting Effect

Sometimes very slight blunting effect is reported.

Machining

Machining operations are easy but sometimes woolly surfaces are reported.

Nailing

Nailing is reported as easy.

Gluing

Gluing behavior is reportedly good.

Finishing

Filling is recommended.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

HOUSING GENERAL, fittings, FURNITURE AND CABINETS

General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Fittings
  • 19 - Silica in Timbers
Furniture Cabinets
  • 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.

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