Chewstick (Symphonia globulifera)
Family: Guttiferae
Common names: Agheribedi, Ahoke, Ahurke, Amarilla, Anamy, Anani, Anany, Arguane, Arquane, Arquanne mekoa, Azufre, Bango bango, Barillo, Ben, Bera caspi, Beta, Beu, Boar gum, Boar wood, Bois cochon, Bolaka, Boloka, Bolongo, Boncillo, Botoncillo, Brea-caspi, Brick-wax tree, Buck-wax tree, Bulungu, Cerillo, Chewstick, Corban, Dibolongo, Doctor gum, Ehulike, Ejale, Enem, Enem onja, Gamboge, Hog gum, Hue, Igi odan, Karamanni, Karimanni, Kisonghia, Leche, Leche amarilla, Machare, Machre, Mangu-mangu, Mani, Manie, Manil, Manilparcouri, Manni, Manniballi, Mapelo, Marillo, Masagrie, Mataaki, Mataaki sabana, Mataki, Matakki, Matakkie, Mbela, Mekoa, Morombo-rai, Muangu muangu, Muyanja, Nianga nianga, Nianga-nianga, Nom ouie, Nom-ovie, Numgundo, Oanani, Okilolo, Olea baran, Osol, Ossodou, Ossol, Ovien edun eze, Ozoli, Paletuvier jaune, Param ancillo, Paraman, Peraman, Perman, Sabana mataaki, Sambogum, Sisako, Symphonia, Tshilunga noir, Usempe, Usonghia, Vanani, Waika, Waika chewstick, Wayepu, wee, Yellow mangue, Yellow manguo
Distributed in: Angola, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Central America, Colombia, Columbia, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela (Africa, Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia)
Distribution overview: A lesser-known species from the tropics, its range includes the West Indies, Central and South America, and Africa. It is rather plentiful in localized areas within its range, and thrives very well in swamps and marshy areas, especially by the sides of lagoons, creeks, and rivers.
Common uses: Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Barrels, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Casks, Cooperages, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Naval architecture, Office furniture, Packing cases, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Raft floats, Rafts, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sub-flooring, Toys, Trimming, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting, Wharf construction
Product sources: The ITTO reports that timber is produced in limited quantities from the species. Exportation is rated as low.
Environment profile: Status unknown in many of its growth areas
Tree size: Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Colors: the heart isYellowish brown stripes , Yellowish, pale brown and the sapwoodWhite to yellow, Yellow.The grain isWeak figure, the textureMedium to coarseand the lusterUsually medium
Natural durability: Susceptible to marine borer attack, Very durable
Odor: No specific smell or taste
Kiln Schedules: UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3
Kiln Drying Rate: Rapid
Drying Defects: Slight surface checking, Slight twist/warp
Ease of Drying: Reconditioning Treatement
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is unknown
Comments: General finishing qualities are rated as good
Blunting Effect: Moderate
Boring: Generally good
Carving: Generally good results
Cutting Resistance: Moderate to saw
Gluing: Good gluing characteristics
Mortising: Very Good to Excellent
Moulding: Poor moulding
Movement in Service: Poor moulding
Nailing: Possible if prebored, Tends to split during nailing
Planing: Very Good to Excellent
Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is resistant
Resistance to Splitting: Poor
Response to hand tools: Responds Readily
Routing recessing: Routing yields good results
Sanding: Satisfactory sanding results
Veneering qualities: Veneers easily, Veneers moderately easy
Steam bending: Poor
Screwing: Screwing yields good results, Tendency to split if not pre-bored ; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results
Painting: Satisfactory; Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Staining: Very Good to Excellent; Varnishing: Satisfactory;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
| Specific Gravity |
0,57 |
0,65 |
|
| Density |
|
689 |
kg/m3 |
| Bending Strength |
800 |
1218 |
kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength |
42 |
55 |
kg/cm2 |
| Hardness |
|
591 |
kg |
| Impact Strength |
|
101 |
cm |
| Shearing Strength |
|
109 |
kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness |
134 |
157 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
| Tangential Shrinkage |
9 |
|
% |
| Radial Shrinkage |
5 |
|
% |
| Weight |
689 |
657 |
kg/m3 |
| Maximum Load |
0,77 |
1,4 |
cm-kg/cm3 |
| Toughness |
|
177 |
cm-kg |
| Static Bending |
491 |
752 |
kg/cm2 |
|
 |  |  |  | | Item | Green | Dry | English | | Bending Strength | 11389 | 17326 | psi | | Crushing Strength | 608 | 784 | psi | | Density | | 43 | lbs/ft3 | | Hardness | | 1304 | lbs | | Impact Strength | | 40 | inches | | Maximum Crushing Strength | 5772 | 9039 | psi | | Shearing Strength | | 1559 | psi | | Static Bending | 6997 | 10702 | psi | | Stiffness | 1919 | 2240 | 1000 psi | | Toughness | | 154 | inch-lbs | | Work to Maximum Load | 11 | 20 | inch-lbs/in3 | | Specific Gravity | 0.57 | 0.65 | | | Weight | 43 | 41 | lbs/ft3 | | Radial Shrinkage | 5 | | % | | Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | | % | | Volumetric Shrinkage | 13 | | % | |
Max. crushing strength = high 0 Hardness (side grain) = medium 0 Bending strength (MOR) = high 0 Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. 0 Shrinkage, Tangential = large 1 Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large 1 Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high 1 Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. 1 Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium 0 Max. crushing strength = medium 0 Bending strength (MOR) = medium 0 Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Resists denting and marring Heavy Hardness (side grain) = very hard Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45Belize,1946,42 Secondary Hardwood Timbers of British Honduras,British Honduras Forest Department Bulletin,No.1Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building ResearchBolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building ResearchBoone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet SeriesCAOBA International, San Francisco, California. 1993. Personal Communication.Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme.1990.Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America.International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France.Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959.Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers.Revised Edition.Revised by H.J. Hobbs.Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.Davis, E.M.,1949,Exploratory tests in machining and related properties of 15 Tropical,American Hardwoods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,Report,No.1744Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe UgandaErfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry DepartmentErfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry DepartmentFanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSOForests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research EstablishmentFouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. BelguimFouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. FranceFrance - C.T.F.T., No.277, Maiul - Symphonia globulifera,C.T.F.T. Information Tec.France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,FranceGarratt, G.A.,1936,The Wood of Symphonia globulifera,Tropical Woods,6(45,pp1-15Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la CamerounHighley, T.L., Scheffer, T.C.,1970,Natural Decay Resistance of 30 Peruvian Woods,U.S.A. Agriculture Department, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory,,Madison Research Paper,No.143HMSO.1981.Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition.Revised by R. H. Farmer.Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.Into the Woods. 1993.Personal Communication.Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. LondonITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France.Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet SeriesKeay, R.W.J.1989. Trees of Nigeria.Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford.Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, IbadanKennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer LagosKribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods LaboratoryKryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem BrasilPieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent BelguimPolak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The NetherlandsRecord, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. PressRecord, S.J.,1927,Trees of Honduras,Tropical Woods,10, pp10-47Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.TSallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra LeoneSlooten, H.J. van der,1970,Evaluation Study of eighteen Wood Species from Guyana for Veneer and,Plywood Manufacture,Forest Industries Development Survey FAO Report SF/GUY9 Tech. Report,No.13,U.N.D.P.Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest ServiceSwabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and SonsTropical Timber Information Center U.S.A.,1975,Symphonia globulifera (Guttiferae,T.T.I.C. New York Brief, No.17Uganda Forest Department,1973,Muyanja (Symphonia globulifera,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet, No.53Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, WageningenWangaard, F.F., and A.F. Muschler. 1952. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume III, No. 98. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.Wangaard, F.F., W.L. Stern, and S.L. Goodrich. 1955. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume V, No. 103. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Plants Programme, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. LondonWilliams, L.1936. Woods of Northeastern Peru.Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series, Volume XV, Publication 377, Chicago.
|