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SAMáN (Pithecellobium saman)

Trade Name

Samán

Scientific Name

Pithecellobium saman (Jacq.) Benth.

Family

LEGUMINOSAE

Common Names

Gipio (Brazil); Saman (Ecuador); Samán (Colombia); Saman (Colombia); Samán (Venezuela); Samag; Monkey Pod; Locorice; Lara; Huacamayo Chico (Peru); Guango; Gouannegoul; Giant Tibet; French Tamarind; Dormilón; Cow Tamarind; Carreto; Carabali; Campaño; Arbre A Pluie; Algarrobo; Genizaro; Zorra; Garreto; Saman (Venezuela); Rain Tree; Cenicero; Algarrobo Del País (Cuba)

Scientific Name Synonyms

Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.; Mimosa saman Jacq.; Inga saman (Jacq.) Willd.; Enterolobium saman (Jacq.) Prain ex King; Calliandra saman (Jacq.) Griseb.; Albizia saman (Jacq.) F. Muell.; Acacia propinqua A. Rich.

Description Of The Tree

Botanical Description

The trees are reported to be large, reaching heights of up to 40 m, with trunk diameters of even 150 cm. The boles are straight and cylindrical, with commercial lengths of about 30 m.

Natural Habitat

Pithecellobium saman is found in tropical dry forests, growing at low elevation areas.

Natural Distribution

Species in this group are reported to occur in Central and South America.

Wood Identification

Anatomic Description Of Wood

Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Occasionally vessels in dendritic pattern. Colored deposits in heartwood vessels. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma lozenge-aliform. Axial parenchyma confluent. Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Prismatic crystals in the ray cells.

  • Wood Macro Photo Tangential Plane
  • Wood Micro Photo Of Transversal Section

Availability

Cites Status

Unrestricted

General Wood Description

Odor

Seasoned wood has no characteristic odor or taste.

Color

The sapwood is pale yellow, the heartwood is dark brown color.

Grain

Straight or interlocked grain is common in this species.

Texture

This species is usually reported to have a coarse texture.

Luster

Luster is moderate to high.

Natural Durability

This species is resistant to termites attack. It is rated as very durable against both white and brown rotting fungi.

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

4

Wood Physical Properties

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

0.49

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

0.53

Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

3.8

Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)

2.2

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying: It is reported to be easy to air season, drying is rapid and uniform. Drying Defects: Slight tendency to checking and moderate warping. Kiln Schedules: Slow drying is recommended.

Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule

JUNAC-B

Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)

1.7

Wood Chemical Properties

Wood Mechanical Properties

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

623

Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)

77000

Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)

386

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

408

Workability

Sawing

Sawing of this species is easy.

Machining

Machining operations are good, but when interlocked grain is present, woolly surfaces are observed.

Planing

When interlocked grain is present, woolly surfaces are reported after planing.

Sanding

Wood of this species is easy to sand.

Finishing

It takes an excellent finish.

REFERENCED USES

End Uses Summary

EXTERIOR GENERAL, HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, panelling, fittings, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, decorative

Exterior General
  • 1 - Tabela de resultados de ensaios fisicos e mecanicos
General Housing
  • 10 - Silica in Timbers
Beams
  • 11 - Prospect: The wood database
Joists
  • 12 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part I-Tropical American Species
Paneling
  • 18 - W3TROPICOS Missouri Botanical Garden
Fittings
  • 19 - Silica in Timbers
Furniture Cabinets
  • 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Panels, Veneers
  • 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Faces
  • 26 - Annual Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 1998-ITTO
Decorative veneer
  • 28 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest of Fiji

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