Maytenus spp.

Carne D'Anta

Family: Celastraceae

Other Common Names: Aguabola, Limncillo (Mexico), Ariza, Camaron (Colombia), Cucharo

(Venezuela), Carne d'anta, Apiranga, Chuchasca, Pau de colher (Brazil), Maiten,

Naranjillo (Argentina).

Distribution: Well distributed throughout tropical America, occurs scattered in the

coastal forests of the Bahia region of Brazil; also well known in the Patagonian

forests of Rio Negro, Argentina.

The Tree:The Tree:The Tree:

Attains a height of 75 to 100 ft with a cylindrical bole 2 to 5 ft in diameter; wit

little taper and without buttresses.

The Wood:The Wood:The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood light reddish brown; sapwood whitish. Texture

very fine and uniform; luster low to medium; grain interlocked to irregular; without

distinctive odor or taste.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) varying with species

from 0.64 to 0.77; air-dry density 49 to 59 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (1-in. standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

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

12% (24) 18,200 2,410 11,100

Janka side hardness 2,240 lb at 12% moisture content. Forest Products Laboratory toughness 120 in.-lb at 12% moisture content (5/8-in. specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: Reported to air-dry slowly with a tendency toward severe warping. No data on dry kiln schedules available. Shrinkage from green to ovendry radial 4.6%; tangential 8.9%.

Working Properties: Reported to have satisfactory working qualities, particularly suited for turnery.

Durability: Susceptible to attack by decay fungi.

Preservation: Heartwood is reported to have excellent absorption and penetration of preservatives when treated using either an open-tank or pressure-vacuum system.

Uses: General carpentry and construction, turnery, furniture, and cabinet work.

Additional Reading: (24), (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.

[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.]

M 150 273-21Mahot or Tauary (Couratari spp.) grows from Panama south to the Brazilian Amazon. Trunk diameters may exceed 4 feet above the stout buttresses. In tropical American moist forests, single species usually make up less than 5 percent of the stand volume.

M 150 273-18Trees in the tropics yield not only wood but a wide array of gums, oil

resins, tannins, edible fruits, medicinals, latex, fodder, and much more. The para

rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) at the end of its tapping life is used to produce

attractive wood suitable for furniture components.