| OTHER COMMON NAMES: |
| Abarco (Colombia), Bacú (Venezuela), Cerú, Jequitibá rosa,
Jequitibá amarella, Tauary (Brazil). |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| A genus of about 10 species distributed from eastern Peru and northern Bolivia through central Brazil to Venezuela
and Colombia. Very common in forests of northern Colombia growing on lower slopes and wellwatered
valleys. |
| THE TREE |
| A large tree, frequently 100 to 130 ft in height, with trunk diameters often 4 to 6 ft in diameter; boles are clear to 80 ft; large buttresses;
well-formed stems. |
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| DRYING AND SHRINKAGE: |
| Air dries rapidly with only a slight tendency to warp or check. Kiln schedule T3-D2 is suggested for 4/4
stock and schedule T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 2.8%; tangential 5.4%; volumetric
9.0%. Reported to have good dimensional stability after manufacture |
| DURABILITY |
| Heartwood reported to be durable, particularly
deeply colored material; has good resistance to drywood
termite attack. |
| WORKING PROPERTIES: |
| Working properties generally satisfactory with only a
slight blunting effect on cutting edges; but species in
this grouping are also reported to cause rapid dulling
of cutters. Silica is estimated to be in excess of
0.05%. Veneers reported to be cut without difficulty. |
|
|
| LECYTHIDACEAE |
 |
| TRADE NAME: |
| ALBARCO, JEQUITIBA |
| COLOMBIAN NAME: |
| ABARCO |
| |
| WOOD PROPERTIES |
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS |
| Heartwood reddish- or purplish-brown, sometimes with dark
streaks usually not sharply demarcated from the pale brown
sapwood; luster medium; texture medium; grain straight to
interlocked; without distinctive odor or taste. |
| Weigth: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.46;
air-dry density 35 pcf. |
| PRESERVATION |
| Heartwood is not treatable using open tank or pressure-
vacuum systems. Sapwood, however, is responsive. |
| USES |
| Tool handles and other applications where good shock resistance
is needed, steam-bent parts, flooring, turnery, furniture and
cabinet work, railroad crossties, tree-nails, gear cogs, wheel
rims, and other specialty items. Tree exudes a rosin-like gum
known commercially as South American copal. Seed nods contain
an edible pulp. |
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