Wood inspector

Family: Caesalpiniaceae

Common names: Catalox, Katalox, Wamara

Distributed in: Brazil, Columbia, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela (Central America, Latin America)

Distribution overview: Several species in the genus Swartzia are reported to occur in tropical America, from southern Mexico through Central America, the West Indies and southward to northern South America. It is rather abundant in the Guyanas and the Amazon area.

Common uses: Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Ceiling, Crossties, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Interior construction, Interior trim, Light construction, Millwork, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling , Parquet flooring, Railroad ties, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Siding, Stairrails, Stairworks, Sub-flooring, Trimming, Veneer

Environment profile: Status has not been officially assessed

Tree size: Tree height is 50-60 m

Colors: the heart isRed, Reddish brownand the sapwoodWell defined, White/Cream .The grain isStraight to irregular, the textureMedium to very fine and the lusterMedium

Natural durability: Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles, Susceptible to insect attack

Odor: No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules: T2-C1 (8/4) US

Kiln Drying Rate: Naturally dries quickly

Drying Defects: Severe surface checking, Severe twisting/warping

Ease of Drying: Rapidly

Comments: The species has been suggested as a potential substitute for Ebony (Diospyros spp.)

Blunting Effect: Medium effect

Boring: Fairly difficult to very difficult

Cutting Resistance: Moderately difficult due to high density

Gluing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Nailing: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult, Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Planing: Very Good to Excellent

Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is permeable

Response to hand tools: Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work

Turning: Poor to Very Poor Results

Polishing: Excellent;