Cariniana pyriformis

and Cariniana spp.

Albarco

Jequitiba

Family: Lecythidaceae

Other Common Names: Abarco (Colombia), Bacu (Venezuela), Ceru, Jequitiba rosa, Jequitiba 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 well-watered 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.

The Wood:

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.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.46; air-dry density 35 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-cm standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)

12% (42) 13,800 1,410 7,100

Green (30) 10,200 1,530 4,620

15% 12,500 NA 6,320

Air-dry Janka side hardness 1,020 lb. Amsler air-dry toughness is 195 in.-lb (2-cm specimen).

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.

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.

Durability: Heartwood reported to be durable, particularly deeply colored material; has good resistance to dry-wood termite attack.

Preservation: Heartwood is reported to be extremely resistant to preservative treatment; sapwood is permeable.

Uses: General construction and carpentry, furniture components, shipbuilding, flooring, veneer for plywood, and turnery.

Additional Reading: (30), (42), (56), (71)

M 150 282-3Logs are delivered to a sawmill in southern Nigeria. African mahogany

(mostly Khaya ivorensis) is in high demand on overseas markets. Export of logs fro

this region, as well as from most other tropical areas, is being restricted.

M 150 282-2Band mills in Ghana are designed to handle logs 5 feet and more in

diameter. Obeche or Wawa (Triplochiton scleroxylon) logs yield lumber favored for

joinery and millwork.

M 150 273-14In many areas of the tropics, fast-growing species are being introduced

future supplies of fuel wood and industrial wood. Batai (Albizia falcataria) is

a favored plantation species in the Philipines.

M 150 273-13 Shores spp. is still the major timber group harvested in Southeast

Asia. With modern chain saws, fellers no longer need scaffolding to get above larg

buttresses.

M 150 281 Felling of white lauan or almon (Shorea a;mon) with axes in the early

1900s in the Philippines. Most hardwood plywood now imported into the USA is

produced from species of Shorea.

[M 150 273-9Plywood mill in San Jose, Costa Rica, produces rotary-cut veneers mostly from banak (Virola spp.) and crabwood or cedro macho (Carapa guianensis). Logs trucked in from the Caribbean coast.]