Cabreuva
Scientific name:
Myroxylon balsamum
Other Common Names: Balsamo
Palo de balsamo (Spanish America generally)
Cedro chino
Nabal (Mexico)
Chirraca
Sandalo (Costa Rica)
Tache, Tolu (Colombia)
Estoraque (Peru)
Cabriuva vermelha (Brazil)
Incienso, Quina (Argentina)
Santos Mahogany
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This species matures in a extensive range from southern Mexico southward through Central American and going along to Argentina. It’s an highly best-selling wood in the flooring world. Heartwood reddish brown becoming deep red or somewhat purplish upon exposure; fairly consistent to striped; sharply demarcated from the white sapwood; it has a beautiful spicy scent. The tree is known for its yield of balsam used in perfumes, harvested primarily in El Salvador.
Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.74 to 0.81; air- dry density 54 to 62 Pcf; approx. density of 58 lb/ft3.
Uses:
Flooring, furniture, interior trim, turnery, railroad crossties. The tree is well known for its yield of balsam used in perfumes.
General Characteristics:
Heartwood reddish brown becoming deep red or somewhat purplish upon exposure; fairly uniform to striped; sharply demarcated from the white sapwood. Luster medium to high; texture medium; grain is typically interlocked; without distinctive taste, but may have a pleasant spicy scent.
Working Properties:
It is described to be fairly hard to work but can be finished smoothly with a high natural polish. Though non-siliceous, there is more than the usual dulling of cutters. This species sands easily and takes a good finish.
Drying and Shrinkage:
Cabreuva can take some time to dry properly but does have good stability characteristics once dry.Shrinkage from green to ovendry: radial 3.8%; tangential 6.2%; volumetric 10.0%. These values are very low for a wood of this high density.
Durability:
The heartwood is reported to be highly resistant to attack by decay fungi. Both sapwood and heartwood are highly resistant to preservative treatments.
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