Cabralea cangerana

Cangerana

Family: Meliaceae

Other Common Names: Cajarana, Pau de santo (Brazil), Cancharana, Canxarana (Argentina), Congerana (Uruguay), Cedro-ra (Paraguay).

Distribution: Found in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina but is most abundant in central and southeastern Brazil.

The Tree: Usually of medium height but with a large trunk up to 4 ft in diameter.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood typically dull red or maroon, sometimes lighter colored with purplish streaks; not always sharply demarcated from the pinkish sapwood. The wood has a fragrant scent when fresh but without odor or taste when dry. Texture medium to coarse; grain generally straight, sometimes wary.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.55; air-dry density 42 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-cm standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

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

Green (30) 10,100 1,360 5,700

15% 12,700 NA 7,400

Air-dry Amsler toughness 147 in.-lb (2-cm specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: No data available on drying characteristics. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 3.4%; tangential 6.6%; volumetric 10.4%.

Working Properties: The wood is easy to work, finishes smoothly.

Durability: Heartwood highly resistant to attack by decay fungi and insects.

Preservation: No data available.

Uses: General carpentry, interior and exterior construction, joinery, fine furniture, favored in Brazil for carving.

Additional Reading: (30), (56), (69)

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.