| OTHER COMMON NAMES: |
| Balsamo, Palo de balsamo (Spanish America generally),
Cedro chino, Nabal (Mexico), Chirraca, Sandalo (Costa
Rica), Tache, Tolu (Colombia), Estoraque (Peru), Cabriuva
vermelha (Brazil), Incienso, Quina (Argentina). |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Has a wide range from southern Mexico southward through Central American and continuing to Argentina. |
| THE TREE |
| Up to 100 ft in height, usually 50 to 65 ft and 18 to 36 in. in diameter. |
 |
| DRYING AND SHRINKAGE: |
| No information available on seasoning characteristics. Shrinkage from green to ovendry: radial 3.8%; tangential
6.2%; volumetric 10.0%. These values are very low for a wood of this high density. |
| DURABILITY |
| The heartwood is reported to be highly resistant to
attack by decay fungi. |
| WORKING PROPERTIES: |
| It is reported to be moderately difficult to work but
can be finished smoothly with a high natural polish.
Though non-siliceous, there is more than the usual
dulling of cutters. |
|
|
| LEGUMINOSAE |
 |
| TRADE NAME: |
| SANTO MAHOGANY, BALSAM |
| COLOMBIAN NAME: |
| BALSAMO |
| |
| WOOD PROPERTIES |
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS |
| Heartwood reddish brown becoming deep red or somewhat
purplish upon exposure; fairly uniform to striped; sharply demarcated
from the white sapwood. Luster medium to high;
texture medium; grain is typically interlocked; without distinctive
taste, but may have a pleasant spicy scent. |
| Weigth: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.74 to
0.81; air- dry density 54 to 62 pcf. |
| PRESERVATION |
| Both sapwood and heartwood are highly resistant to
preservative treatments. |
| USES |
| Flooring, furniture, interior trim, turnery, railroad
crossties. The tree is well known for its yield of
balsam used in perfumes, harvested mainly in El
Salvador. |
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