Common Names:   Balsamo Cabriziva Cedro chino Chirraca Estoraque Incienso Nabal Palo de balsamo Santos mahogany Sandalo Tache Tolu Purchase Mahogany  Santos

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
This species is officially classified as either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare in Costa Rica, but there is not enough information to determine which specific class it falls into (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center - 1992).

Distribution
The range of this species is reported to extend over a wide area from southern Mexico southward through Central America to Argentina.

Product Sources
It is currently unknown whether material from this species is available from sustainably managed, recycled, salvaged, or other environmentally responsible sources. 

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reports that timber from this species is produced at a low volume. Export potential is rated as fair.

Tree Data
The tree attains a height of up to 100 feet (30 m), more commonly 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m), with a trunk diameter of 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90 cm).

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is white in color and is clearly delineated from the heartwood.

Heartwood Color
The freshly-cut heartwood is reddish-brown, but it darkens to deep red or somewhat purplish. Color variation is reported to be moderate between boards.

Grain
The grain is commonly interlocked. Quartersawn material usually exhibits a striped figure.

Texture
Texture is typically even and very fine.

Luster
The wood has medium to high luster.

Odor
The wood has a spicy odor, but there is no distinctive taste.

T/R Ratio
1.63
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 rated as highly resistant to attack by decay fungi.

Resistance to Impregnation
The sapwood and heartwood are reported to be difficult to treat with preservatives.

Toxic Constituents
Sawdust from machining operations may cause respiratory irritation in some individuals.

Cutting Resistance
The timber is reported to be moderately difficult to saw because of hardness.

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on cutters is reported to be rather high.

Planing
The timber is reported to be moderately difficult to work in all machining operations. It responds rather poorly to planing, boring, turning, moulding, and mortising operations. Cutting edges of tools are dulled rather rapidly. Carbide-tipped tools are recommended.

Nailing
Nail-holding ability is reported to be good.

Polishing
The timber is reported to have excellent polishing characteristics.

Sanding
Sanding characteristics are rated as satisfactory.

Response to Hand Tools
Response to hand tools is fair, but cutting edges tend to dull rapidly.

Strength Properties
Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is exceptionally high. It is far superior in strength to either Teak or Hard maple. Strength qualities in compression parallel to grain are exceptionally high. It is hard - harder than Teak, and does not marr or dent easily. It is a very heavy wood. The density of the wood is very high.