Wood inspector

Family: Guttiferae

Common names: Abrico do para, Abricot, Abricot de Saint Domingue, Abricot des antilles, Abricot du pays, Abricoteiro, Abricotier, Abricotier d'Amerique, Apricot, Mamaja, Mamaya, Mamee, Mamey, Mamey amarillo, Mamey de cartagena, Mammee tree

Distributed in: Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico (Central America)

Distribution overview: The mamey is native to the West Indies and northern South America. It was recorded as growing near Dari￿ Panama, in 1514, and in 1529 was included by Oviedo in his review of the fruits of the New World. It has been nurtured as a specimen in English greenhouses since 1735. It grows well in Bermuda and is quite commonly cultivated in the Bahama Islands and the Greater and Lesser Antilles. In St. Croix it is spontaneous along the roadsides where seeds have been tossed. In southern Mexico and Central America, it is sparingly grown except in the lowlands of Costa Rica, El Salvador and in Guatemala where it may be seen planted as a windbreak and ornamental shade tree along city streets, and is frequently grown for its fruit on the plains and foothills of the Pacific coast. Cultivation is scattered in Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana, Ecuador and northern Brazil.

Product sources: Some non-timber products from this species include an edible fruit. The firm but juicy yellow or reddish flesh of the fruit bes either consumed raw or cooked, and has an apricot flavor. The aromatic flowers are reported to be used sometimes to distill a type of liqueur, eau de creole or creme de creole in the West Indies. The bark yields a gum resin that is used to control pests.

Environment profile: Data source is Nature Conservancy

Tree size: Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm

Colors: the heart isPurplish brown, Redand the sapwoodColor gradually merges into heartwood , Paler than heartwood.The grain isStraight, the textureOily feel and the lusterLow

Natural durability: Resistant to marine borers, Very durable

Kiln Drying Rate: Naturally dries at a moderate speed

Drying Defects: Checking, Splitting

Ease of Drying: Slowly

Comments: Generally strong, hard, and heavy

Cutting Resistance: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw

Planing: Very Good to Excellent

Response to hand tools: Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work

Polishing: Fair to Good;