Amburana cearensis

syn. A. acreana

Amburana

Ishpingo

Family: Leguminosae

Other Common Names: Amburana, Cerejeira, Cumare, Cumaru (Brazil), Palo trebol, Robe del pais (Argentina), Ishpingo (Peru).

Distribution: Widely distributed in the dry regions of Brazil and northern Argentina In Peru found in the tropical dry regions of the Huanuco Department on deep well- drained soils.

The Tree: Over 100 ft in height and 2 to 3 ft in diameter, sometimes to 5 ft; boles are cylindrical but with flutes to 3 ft.

The Wood: General Characteristics: Heartwood yellowish or light brown with a slight orange hue

darkening somewhat on exposure, not sharply demarcated from sapwood. Texture medium to coarse; luster medium to high; grain interlocked and irregular; with mild to distinct scent and taste of cumarin or vanilla; rather waxy appearance and feel. Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) averages about 0.55; 0.43 reported from Peru. Air-dry density range about 38 to 47 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (First set of data based on the 2-in. standard, second set

the 2-cm standard.)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

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

14%(2) 10,715 1,363 6,100

Green (30) 9,880 1,343 4,670

15% 12,820 NA 6,860

Dry Janka side hardness 790 lb; air-dry Amsler toughness 154 in.-lb (2-cm specimen)

Drying and Shrinkage: Reported to be easy to dry though sometimes with fine end- checking. No dry kiln schedule data available. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 2.3 to 3.0%; tangential 4.1 to 5.8%; volumetric 7.6 to 8.4%.

Working Properties: Easy to work with machine or hand tools, some difficulty in planing due to the interlocked grain. Reported to saw woolly when cut green.

Durability: Reported to have good resistance to attack by decay fungi and insects.

Preservation: No information available.

Uses: Construction, furniture, decorative veneers, and other applications requiring an attractive and dimensionally stable wood.

Additional Reading: (2), (30), (36), (56)

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.