Common Names:   Macacauba Macacauba preta Macacauba vermelha Macacawood Macacahuba Nambar Vencola Roble colorado Tarara Colorado Purchase Tarara Colorado

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
The conservation status of this species within its natural growth range has not been officially assessed.

Distribution
The species is reported to occur in Central and South America, and is found in Nicaragua, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Guyana, Colombia, Trinidad, and Surinam.

Product Sources
It is currently unknown whether lumber and other timber products produced from this species are obtainable from environmentally responsible sources.

The name Macacauba is reported to be used to refer to several species of Platymiscium sold on the commercial market.

Tree Data
Platymyscium trees are reported to reach heights of 80 feet (24 m), with trunk diameters of 28 to 42 inches (70 to 110 cm). The buttressed trees develop straight and well-formed boles, that are often clear to 60 feet (18 m).

Heartwood Color
The heartwood color is described as bright red, purplish-red, or light reddish-brown, often with darker variegated red or purple streaks and fine veins.

Grain
Grain is reported to be irregular and interlocked.

Texture
Texture is medium and uniform.

Luster
Wood surface is reported to be lustrous.

Odor
Taste and odor are usually indistinct.

Ease of Drying
The timber should be dried under carefully controlled conditions to avoid degrade.

Drying Defects
The timber has a tendency to check and end-split during drying.

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to be dimensionally stable, with only small movement in use.

T/R Ratio
1.30
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).

Planing
A reduced cutting angle and sharp tool edges have been recommended to prevent pick-up when planing material containing interlocked and irregular grain.

Turning
Since different species of Platymiscium are marketed together under the trade name Macacauba, machining properties tend to vary. Timber containing irregular and interlocked grain may require special attention in some operations, but Macacauba is reported to respond generally well to ordinary machine tools. Worked surfaces are reported to be relatively clean, especially if cutting edges are kept sharp.

Gluing
The timber is reported to glue well.

Nailing
Nailing properties are rated as good.

Screwing
Macacauba is reported to screw without difficulty.

Polishing
The timber is reported to polish to yield a smooth surface.

Staining
Staining characteristics are reported to be good.

Response to Hand Tools
The wood is reported to be generally easy to work with hand tools, but stock containing irregular grain requires sharp cutting edges for best results.

Steam Bending
The timber is reported to respond poorly to steam bending operations.

Strength Properties
Macacauba is reported to be moderately strong in bending, crushing, and response to impact loads, but is low in stiffness. It is very heavy and has very high density.