Cordia spp.

Canalete

(hard-Wooded, dark-colored Gerascanthus group)

Family: Boraginaceae

Other Common Names: Anacahuite, Baria (Cuba), Siricote, Bocote, Cupane, Amapa asta (Mexico), Canalete (Colombia, Venezuela), Louro pardo (Brazil), Loro negro (Argentina).

Distribution: The several species of this group are found in northern Florida, West Indies, Central America, and southward to Brazil and Argentina.

The Tree: A small to large tree, sometimes 100 ft. tall. In Mexico the trees are found in Tropical Dry zones with precipitation of about 1,000 mm and up to 500 m elevations.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood tobacco colored to reddish brown, with irregular dark brown or blackish streaks and variegations, with more or less of an oily or waxy appearance; rather sharply demarcated from the grayish or yellowish sapwood. Luster variable; texture fine to medium, grain variable; taste not distinctive; scent mild fragrant, at least when fresh.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) ranges from 0.63 to 0.84; air-dry density 48 to 65 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (First set of data based on 2-in. standard; second set on 2-cm standard.)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

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

Green (19) 13,700 1,390 NA

12% 15,700 1,580 NA

Green (30) 13,700 1,760 8,500

15% 18,500 NA 9,000

Janka side hardness 2,200 lb for air-dry material. Amsler toughness 340 in.-lb at 15% moisture content (2-cm specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: The wood is difficult to dry; readily develops surface checking and end splitting. Kiln schedule T6-D2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.0%; tangential 7.4%; volumetric 11.6%. Holds its place well when manufactured.

Working Properties: A readily worked timber, finishing very smoothly.

Durability: Durability is rated high.

Preservation: No data available.

Uses: Fine furniture, cabinet work, turnery, flooring, rotary and sliced veneer, and rifle stocks.

Additional Reading: (19), (30), (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.]