Fine Bolivian Woods

Fine Bolivian Woods

Bolivia's forests contain a large number of fine timber species, suitable for
many different end uses. This selection of species represents some of the
finest woods that are being produced in Bolivia.
Some of the most important properties of each species are presented here.
More detailed information about products, prices and technical specifications
are available upon request to e-mail: timbertrade@mail.cotas.com.bo

Bolivia is a major producer of wood and wood products from sustainably

managed tropical forests. A modern forest legislation and environmentally
and socially conscious forest enterprises guarantee a simultaneous use and
conservation of the forests. International "green" certification of the forest
management has been going on for several years positioning Bolivia among
the tropical countries with largest certified forest area.
Bolivia's forest industry has a long tradition and receives technical assistance
through the Forestry & Industry Development Programme financed by the
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida.

Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/intro.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:04]

Almendrillo

Almendrillo, Dipteryx odorata

Synonoms: Cumar, Sarrapia

Almendrillo is a hard, heavy and very durable wood. It can be used for exterior decking,
garden furniture, flooring, etc. It has good machining and finishing properties.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% 960 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,5%
Tangential shrinkage 8,2%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,5
Static bending 1162 kg/cm
Compression parallell to grain 884 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1628 kg

Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Almendrillo.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:05]

bibosi

Bibosi, Ficus sp.

Synonoms: Caxinguba, Higuern

Bibosi is a medium hard and textured wood. It can be used for interior carpentry, doors,
windows, mouldings, etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 570 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,6%
Tangential shrinkage 7,4%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,1
Static bending 475 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 393 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 323 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Bibosi.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:05]

cambar

Cambar, Erisma uncinatum

Synonoms: Jaboty, Quarubarana, Mureillo

Cambar is a medium hard wood. It can be used for interior carpentry, doors, windows,
furniture, mouldings, etc. It has good machining and finishing properties. The sapwood is
lighter in color but with similar characteristics as the heartwood.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 570 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,4%
Tangential shrinkage 8,9%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,3
Static bending 650 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 348 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 327 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Cambara.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:06]

Cedro

Cedro, Cedrela odorata

Synonoms: American Ceder, Spanish-Cedar

Cedro is a highly valued and economically important tropical timber specie belonging to
the same family (Meliaceae) as Mahogany. It is used for fine furniture, door and window
frames and decorative veneer. It has good machining and finishing characteristics and is
easily dried with hardly any distortions.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 500 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,4 %
Tangential shrinkage 8,6 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,6
Static bending ? kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 400 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 697 kg/cm
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Cedro.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:07]

cuchi

Cuchi, Astronium urundeuva

Synonoms: Urundel, Aroeira, Urunday

Cuchi is a very hard and durable wood. It is suitable for decorative veneer, flooring,
decking, garden furniture, sleepers, etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 1220 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,7%
Tangential shrinkage 7,5%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,0
Static bending 1355 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 740 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1440 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Cuchi.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:09]

curupa

Curupa, Anadenanthera colubrina

Synonoms: Cebil, Curupay

Curupa is a hard and durable wood. It is suitable for decorative veneer, flooring,
decking, garden furniture, exterior construction, sleepers, etc. It has good machining and
finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 1020 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 4,2%
Tangential shrinkage 8,4%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,0
Static bending 1672 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 839 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1990 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Curupau.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:10]

Cuta

Cuta, Phyllostylon rhamnoides

Synonoms: Boxwood, Santo Domingo, Ibir, Cat

Cuta is a hard, heavy and durable wood. It can be used for carpentry, flooring, mouldings
etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 970 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,4%
Tangential shrinkage 8,2%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,5
Static bending 1048 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 509 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1364 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Cuta.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:11]

Jichituriqui

Jichituriqui, Aspidosperma sp.

Synonoms: Guatamb - Peroba

Jichituriqui is a hard, heavy and very durable wood. It can be used for flooring, garden
furniture, etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 890 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,5%
Tangential shrinkage 8,7%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,6
Static bending 1192 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 691 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1302 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Jichituriqui.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:12]

Mara

Mara, Swietenia macrophylla

Synonoms: Mahogany, Caoba, Aguano

Mahogany is one of the most valuable and economically important tropical timbers. It is
highly valued for its small dimensional movement, lack of distortion, very good finishing
qualities, high durability, colour and workability. Both sapwood and heartwood is
extremely resistant to preservative treatment. Mahogany is mainly used for high-value
furniture and interior fittings (decorative veneer) It has very good machining characteristics
and is easily dried.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 570 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,1 %
Tangential shrinkage 4,6 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,5
Static bending 860 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 430 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 471 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Mara.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:13]

MaraMacho

Mara Macho, Cedrelinga catenaeformis

Synonoms: Tornillo, Cedrorana

Mara Macho is a rather light specie with regular durability, It can be used for furniture,
carpentry and door- and window frames. It has regular to good machining characteristics,
good finishing and rather low distortion after drying.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 570 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 4,9%
Tangential shrinkage 8,0%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,6
Static bending 746 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 378 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 400 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/MaraMacho.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:14]

Momoqui

Momoqui, Caesalpina pluviosa

Synonoms: Partridge-wood, Coffee-wood, Granadillo

Momoqui is a hard, heavy and very durable wood. It can be used for exterior decking,
garden furniture, furniture and flooring.. It has good machining and finishing
characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 1050 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 2,3 %
Tangential shrinkage 6,0 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,7
Static bending 1330 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 698 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1660 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Momoqui.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:15]

Murure

Murure, Clarisia racemosa

Synonoms: Oiticia amarela, Aj, Guariuba

Murure is a medium-hard and durable wood. It can be used for furniture, flooring ans all
sorts of carpentry works (p.e decorative veneer). It has good machining and finishing
characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 700 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 2,5%
Tangential shrinkage 4,8%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,0
Static bending 985 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 784kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 893 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Murure.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:16]

Ochoo

Ochoo, Hura crepitans

Synonoms: Possum wood, Assacu, Ceiba amarilla

Ochoo is a rather light tropical timber specie that is not very durable. It can be used for
door and window frames, furniture, decorative veneer, plywood, etc. It has good machining
and finishing characteristics. Easy to dry (but suceptible to blue stain) with little
distortions.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 520 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,9 %
Tangential shrinkage 5,7 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,5
Static bending 685 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 445 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 364 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Ochoo.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:17]

Ojoso Colorado

Ojoso Colorado, Pseudolmedia laevigata

Synonoms: Nu, Vara Piedra, Chimi

Ojoso Colorado is a hard and durable timber specie. It can be used for exterior decking,
garden furniture, flooring, etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 900 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,1%
Tangential shrinkage 10,3 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,1
Static bending 1212 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 603 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 711 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/OjosoColorado.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:17]

Palo Blanco

Palo Blanco, Calycophyllum multiflorum

Synonoms: Pau Mulato, Ivyr Morot

Palo Blanco is a medium-hard and very durable timber specie. It can be used for all kinds
of furniture, flooring, etc. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 780 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 4,0 %
Tangential shrinkage 7,4%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,8
Static bending 947 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 552 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 870kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/paloblanco.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:18]

Palo Maria

Palo Maria, Calophyllum brasilense

Synonoms: Santa Mara, Jacareuba, American Sapelly

Palo Maria is a brownish, rather lihght and durable tropical timber specie. It can be used
for furniture, flooring, carpentry and door and window frames. It has good machining and
finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 660 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,1%
Tangential shrinkage 8,3%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,6
Static bending 913 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 579 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 743 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/palomaria.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:19]

Paqui

Paquio, Hymenaea courbaril

Synonoms: Copal, Courbaril, Jatob, Algarrobo

Paqui is a brownish hard and very durable wood. It can be used for decking and outdoor
carpentry (garden furniture etc), flooring and door and window frames. It has good
machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 950 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 4,2%
Tangential shrinkage 7,4%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,8
Static bending 1515 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 886 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1351kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/paquio.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:20]

Roble

Roble, Amburana cearensis

Synonoms: Cumaru, Cerejeira, Amburana, South American Oak, Tumi, Tome

Roble is an economically important tropical specie that is durable and has good machining
and finishing characteristics. Roble is easily dried with only minor distortions. It is mainly
used for fine carpentry (furniture, decorative veneer) and door and window frames. Roble
resembles Quercus in its appearance (colour, visible growth rings etc) but does not belong
to the same family.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 530 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,0 %
Tangential shrinkage 4,3 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,4
Static bending 720 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 453 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 546 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Roble.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:21]

Sereb

Serebo, Schizolobium parahyba

Synonoms: Guapuruvu, Quamwood, Pino Chuncho

Sereb is a rather light, whitish tropical tree specie with comparatively low natural
durability. The wood is used for door and window frames and mouldings. It has good
machining and finishing characteristics.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 410 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 3,5%
Tangential shrinkage 6,8%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 2,0
Static bending 569 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 364kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 231kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Serebo.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:23]

Soto

Soto,Schinopsis sp.

Synonoms: Quebracho, Barana, Brana-Parda

Soto is an extremely hard and very durable tropical tree specie. It can be used for exterior
decking, garden furniture, flooring, sleepers, etc. It has good machining and finishing
characteristics..
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 1270 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,0%
Tangential shrinkage 9,3%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,9
Static bending 1516 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 833kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 2177 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/soto.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:24]

Tajibo

Tajibo, Lapacho, Tabebuia sp.

Synonoms: Ip, Flor Amarillo

Tajibo is a hard and very durable tropical tree specie. It can be used for exterior decking,
garden furniture, flooring, decorative veneer etc. It has good machining and finishing
characteristics but the finishing requires primer.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 980 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,6%
Tangential shrinkage 5,6%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,7
Static bending 1371 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 719 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 1428 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/Tajibo.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:25]

Verdolago

Verdolago, Terminalia amazonica

Synonoms: Nargusta, Tanimbuca

Verdolago is a rather hard and durable tropical tree specie.. It can be used for all kinds of
furniture (both for in- and outdoor use), flooring and decorative veneer etc. It has good
machining and finishing characteristics but the finishing requires primer.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 800 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 5,3%
Tangential shrinkage 9,1%
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,7
Static bending 1088 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 584 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 911 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/verdolago.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:26]

Yesquero Negro

Yesquero Negro,Cariniana estrellensis

Synonoms: Enchoque, Albarco, Jequitiba, Estopeiro

Yesquero Negro is a rather light and durable wood specie. It can be used for furniture,
flooring, carpentry and door and window frames. etc. It has good machining and finishing
characteristics but the finishing requires primer.
Some important physical and mechanical properties are:

Density at 12% moisture content 680 kg/m

Radial shrinkage 4,4 %
Tangential shrinkage 7,2 %
Tangential / radial shrinkage ratio 1,6
Static bending 846 kg/cm
Compression parallel to grain 514 kg/cm
Lateral hardness (Janka) 735 kg
Forestry & Industry Development Programme in Bolivia

http://satellite/maderas/Species/yesqueronegro.htm [7/12/1999 23:16:27]