Common Names:   Alga Algarrobo Azucar huayo Copal Copinol Courbaril Gaupinol Jatahy Jatoba Jutai Kawanari Locust Pie de venado Rode locus Rode rode locus Sirari West indian locust Purchase Jatoba /  Brazilian Cherry

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
This species is officially classified as Vulnerable within its natural habitat in the Philippines. This means that it may soon become Endangered, if existing trends of over-exploitation and habitat destruction continue (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center - 1992). 

Although the species may be quite rare in some parts of its range, especially at the periphery, it is reported to be generally widespread, abundant, and secure globally (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the species globally).

Distribution
The growth range of the species is reported to include Cape Verde Islands, throughout West Indies from Cuba and Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago. Also from central Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and French Guiana. It is scattered in forests, pastures, and along roadsides in the moist and dry coastal and limestone regions of Puerto Rico.

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible or sustainably managed sources. 

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reports that the species is an important source of timber for export. 

Supplies of Courbaril are reported to be rather limited on the US market, but the material may be available on the European market.

Tree Data
Trees are reported to be often less than 100 feet (30 m) in height, with trunk diameters of 24 to 48 inches (60 t0 120 cm). They sometimes attain heights of about 130 feet (40 m) and trunk diameters of 60 to 72 inches (150 to 180 cm). Trees usually develop clear boles that are 40 to 80 feet (12 to 24 m) long, and may have swollen bases or buttresses, depending upon the size.

Sapwood Color
The rather wide sapwood is described as white, gray, or pinkish in color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. It is reported to be similar to Maple in appearance.

Heartwood Color
The color of the freshly-cut heartwood runs from salmon-red to orange-brown. It darkens into a russet to reddish-brown color after drying, and it is frequently marked with dark streaks. 

Grain
The grain is mostly interlocked.

Texture
The texture is medium to coarse.

Luster
Luster is reported to vary from dull to fairly lustrous.

Odor
The wood has no characteristic taste or odor.

Ease of Drying
The wood is reported to dry at a moderate to fast rate and is rated as fairly difficult to air-dry.

Drying Defects
There is a slight tendency for the wood to check and warp during drying.

Kiln Schedules
T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Schedule C (4/4); United Kingdom

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to be stable after seasoning to the proper moisture content, and undergoes minimal dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions.

T/R Ratio
1.89
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to be moderately durable, with only moderate resistance to attack by both brown-rot and white-rot fungi. The heartwood is rated as very resistant to dry-wood termites but it is not totally immune from attack by marine borers.

Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is reported to be very resistant to preservative treatment. Penetration and retention in the sapwood is reported to be adequate.

Resin Content
The bark contains an orange or yellowish resin called South American copal, which is reported to be used in the manufacture of special types of varnishes and cements. 

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on cutters is rated as moderate.

Cutting Resistance
The wood is reported to be difficult to saw because of its high density. 

Planing
The wood is reported to be difficult to plane because of interlocked grain which may produce woolly planed surfaces. Carbide tipped tools and a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees are recommended.

Turning
The wood is reported to be fairly difficult to turn but smooth, turned surfaces can be achieved. 

Moulding
Moulding operations are reported to be fairly difficult.

Boring
The wood is fairly difficult to bore. 

Mortising
The material is reported to be fairly difficult to mortise.

Gluing
Gluing characteristics are reported to be fair.

Nailing
The wood is reported to have very poor nailing characteristics, but it holds nails well. 

Screwing
Pre-boring is recommended before screwing, but screw-holding properties are reported to be good. 

Sanding
Sanding qualities are reported to be good. 

Polishing
The wood is reported to have satisfactory polishing characteristics.

Staining
The wood stains well.

Varnishing
The wood has excellent varnishing characteristics. 

Steam Bending
This species is characterized by good steam bending properties and is reported to compare favorably with red oak. 

Response to Hand Tools
The wood is reported to respond fairly poorly to hand tools. 

Comments
Courbaril, a lesser-known species from tropical America, is reported to have good strength qualities and can be used in structural applications for which Oak would be suitable. It is reported to be similar to the African species, Tchitola (Oxystigma oxyphyllum), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ), and is superior to White oak (Quercus alba ). Fossilized gum from the bark of the species usually appears in excavations which might suggest the presence of Courbaril at such sights in the past.