| OTHER COMMON NAMES: |
| Guayacan, Lapacho, Ipe, Puy |
| DISTRIBUTION |
| Throughout continental tropical America and some of the Lesser Antilles. The tree grows on a variety of
sites, from ridge tops to riverbanks and marsh forests. |
| THE TREE |
| May grow to 140 to 150 ft in height with trunk diameters of 6 ft. Frequently to heights of 100 ft and diameters of 2 to 3 ft. Boles are
clear to 60 ft and more, with or without buttresses |
 |
| DRYING AND SHRINKAGE: |
| Generally reported to air-dry rapidly with only slight checking and warping. Kiln schedule T3-C1 is suggested
for 4/4 stock. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 6.6%; tangential 8.0%; volumetric 13.2%. Movement
after manufacture is rated as small. |
| DURABILITY |
| Heartwood is very resistant to attack by decay
fungi and termites; not resistant to marine borers.
T. guayacan however, is reported to have good resistance
in Panama waters. |
| WORKING PROPERTIES: |
| Moderately difficult to work especially with hand
tools; has a blunting effect on cutting edges, finishes
smoothly except where grain is very roey The fine
yellow dust produced in most operations may cause
dermatitis in some workers. |
|
|
| BIGNONIACEAE |
 |
| TRADE NAME: |
| PUY, DARK IPE, LAPACHO |
| COLOMBIAN NAME: |
| PUY |
| |
| WOOD PROPERTIES |
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS |
| Heartwood olive brown to blackish, often with lighter or
darker striping, often covered with a yellow powder; sharply
demarcated from the whitish or yellowish sapwood. Texture
fine to medium; luster low to medium; grain straight to very
irregular; rather oily looking; without distinctive odor or taste. |
| Weigth: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.85 to
0.97; air- dry density 66 to 75 pcf. |
| PRESERVATION |
| The wood is reported to be extremely resistant to
preservation treatments. |
| USES |
| Agricultural implements, Axles, Boat building (general), Boat building:
framing, Bridge construction, Cabinetmaking, Decks, Fishing rods,
Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general,
Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Ladders, Light
construction, Mine timbers, Paneling, Piling, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting
Goods, Textile equipment, Vats, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels |
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