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

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.

Index you maybe interesting in reading: Janka Hardness Hardwood Floor Scale

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