CENTRAL AMERICAN BLACK CABBAGE BARK: G
A very dark coloured hardwood which is similar to Teak and is an inexpensive Certified alternative species. We believe this new lesser known species will fast gain popularity once it becomes readily available. FSC Certfied.
Production: S/E, DIM.
Lonchocarpus castilloi
Family: Leguminosae
Common/vernacular names: Black cabbage bark, Sindjaplé (Surinam), Machiche, Balché (Mexico), Chaprerno (Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama), Timbo (Brazil) and many more, depending on the country of origin.
Distribution: This species grows throughout tropical and Central America, ranging from Brazil to Mexico, and includes Guatemala,Honduras and Surinam. It is found within dry plains areas and on open hillsides at low or moderate elevations. In Honduras and parts of the Yucatan region it is reported to grow in swamp forest on limestone soils.
The Tree: Reported to attain heights of around 85’ – 100’ (26 to 30m) with trunk diameters of 0.4m to 1.1m. It is reported to form low buttresses and produce clear boles of between 30’ to 60’ (9 to 18m).
The Timber: General characteristics
The timber is hard and heavy and is similar in appearance to (Burma) Padauk, Pterocarpus macrocarpus. The timber has a brown to dark reddish-brown heartwood which is clearly demarcated from the paler white/yellowish sapwood. The heartwood often produces an attractive (variegated/striped) figure, due to the presence of fine pale-coloured alternating bands of parenchyma tissue and dark fibres. The grain is reported to be straight, although other sources note that interlocked and irregular grain also occurs. The texture is moderately coarse.
Density/Weight: According to ‘The Wood Exchange’ on the World Agroforestry’s density website it is cited as being a medium density timber of 630 kg/m3. Other information from ‘Strength Properties of Timber’ (Department of the Environment) lists material sourced from Belize as having an average air-dry (12% MC) density of 897 kg/m3. The publication ‘Tropical Timbers of the World’ reports that the basic specific gravity (oven-dry weight/green volume) varies within the Lonchocarpus spp from 0.62 to 0.76 and the air-dry density is listed as 46 to 58lbs/ft3 (737 to 929 kg/m3). Samples held at TRADA were found to have a density of 850 kg/m3.
Drying and Shrinkage: It is reported that although the timber seasons at a rather slow rate, there is little degrade in the form of distortion. There is a slight tendency to checking. The radial shrinkage from green to oven-dry is reported to be 3.9% and tangential 8.2%, with a volumetric rate of 13.0%. Movement characteristics in service are reported to be medium.
Durability: It is reported that the timber is very durable and has high resistance against fungi and insect attack. The resistance against marine borers is not known.
Preservation: It is reported to be extremely resistant to impregnation with wood preservatives.
Strength: A hard, heavy, strong timber used for construction work/railway sleepers in South America. Strength testing carried out in the 1950’s suggests that this species resembles Karri, Eucalyptus diversicolor, in weight and in most of its strength properties. It is, however, appreciably harder and more resistant to shearing forces.
Mechanical Properties:
(Ultimate stresses based on testing, not to be used for design)
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Working Properties: As this is a hard and heavy timber it is fairly hard to work with both hand and machine tools. It is reported to have a moderate to severe blunting effect and good quality highspeed steel should be used for cutters. Some tearing of the material due to the interlocking grain is reported to occur when planing and moulding. Even though it is difficult to work a smooth/clear finish can be achieved. The timber is unsuitable for nailing. The timber also stains and polishes well and is reported to be excellent for turning.
Uses: The timber is used locally for a variety of purposes including lorries, carts, bridging, heavy construction, flooring, furniture, and house frames. It was also accepted by the G.P.O. for use as crossarms on telegraph poles. As it has a high durability it may also be suitable for use as railway sleepers, but further work would need to be carried out on the acceptance of it for this use. Also used for musical instruments, for the backs, sides, necks and blocks for guitars.
Forest Certification: This species is available with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and is sourced from within the Maya Biosphere reserve in Guatemala. Technical information supplied by TRADA Technology.
Timber Certification: We have established a supply of Black Cabbage Bark from Central America which is produced from well managed forests, independently certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest
Stewardship Council A.C. All our certified timber is processed through our Chains of Custody which are audited by BM TRADA Certification.
JBT Comments: Black Cabbage Bark is a very attractive dark coloured hardwood which is similar to Teak and is a readily available inexpensive alternative species. Stunning in flooring and kitchen doors.
Grade: FAS/Selects and better. Graded to NHLA rules.
Specification: Square edge: 8ft and longer, 6ins and wider, allowing 5%, 4ins,5ins and 10% 6ft/7ft.
Stockholding: 1500 cubic feet in kiln dried or stock in kilns available in 1ins, 11/2ins, 2ins, 21/2ins, 3ins and 4ins thickness.
