CENTRAL AMERICAN SANTA MARIA: E
A very similar species in both appearance and properties to African Sapele which should be considered as a Certified alternative species. FSC Certified.

Production: S/E, DIM.

Calophyllum brasiliense
Family: Guttiferae

Common/vernacular names: Santa Maria (Central America), Jacareúba and Pau de Maria (Brazilian name), Guanandi, Palo de Maria, Aceite Maria (Columbia), Leche de Maria (Mexico), Calaba (Panama) and several more, depending on the country of origin.

Distribution: Santa Maria grows throughout the West Indies and in South and Central America from Mexico to Brazil, including Guatemala and Honduras. The tree reportedly grows on most soil types, from humid forest areas to pure sandy soils as well as more rockier drier sites.

The Tree: Reported to attain a height of around 100’ to 150’ (30 to 45m) with trunk diameters of 1.0 to 2.0m. The bole is reported to be straight, cylindrical and (with no buttress) can be up to around 50’ to 65’ (15 to 20m) in length.

The Timber: General characteristics: The timber is reported to bear a passing resemblance to a ‘plain’ mahogany and has sometimes been mistaken for this species. The timber has quite a wide sapwood (40mm to 65mm) which is usually lighter in colour than the yellowish-pink to brick-red or rich reddish-brown heartwood. The heartwood of quarter-sawn material can produce an attractive ribbon/stripe figure as the grain is said to be generally interlocked. The texture is medium and relatively uniform. It is classed ashaving low to medium lustre.

Density/Weight: According to ‘The Wood Exchange’ on the World Agroforestry’s density website it is cited as being a medium density timber ranging from 530 to 720 kg/m3. Other information from the TRADA ‘Redbooks’ suggests an average density of 610 kg/m3 when dried. The publication ‘Tropical Timbers of the World’ reports that the basic specific gravity (oven-dry weight/green volume) for this species is 0.51 and the air-dry density is listed as 39 lbs/ft3. Samples held at TRADA were found to have a density of 697 kg/m3.

Drying and Shrinkage: It is reported that the timber is moderately
difficult to air-dry and dries slowly with considerable warping and splitting, as the moisture is often difficult to extract from the centre of thicker boards. Other sources note that warp is said to be moderate to severe although checking is slight. The radial shrinkage from green to oven-dry is reported to be 4.6% and for tangential 8.0%; with a volumetric rate of 13.6%. When quartersawn material is kiln-dried carefully, the timber is of first-class quality. Movement characteristics in service are reported to be medium.

Durability: TRADA rates the heartwood as very durable whilst other sources state that it is only 'moderately durable to durable' with respect to decay resistance. Tests carried out in the USA found this timber to be durable against white and brown rot. It is said to be resistant to Lyctus beetles. The resistance against marine borers and termites is not clear as one source notes it is susceptible to attack from marine borers but moderately resistant to termites.

Preservation: The heartwood is extremely resistant to impregnation with wood preservatives. The sapwood is said to have good permeability if incised.

Strength: For its density, ‘Santa Maria’ is one of the strongest woods in its class. It exceeds mahogany in all strength properties and is more comparable to American white oak.

Mechanical Properties
(Ultimate stresses based on testing, not to be used for design)

Working Properties: It is reported to be moderately easy to work,
but the thin, soft parenchyma tissue may pick up badly when planing plain-sawn surfaces. A reduced cutting angle of 20° will help alleviate this. A smooth finish is possible on straight grained material, but on timber with interlocked grain, some tearing and chipping of the grain can occur. The timber is also said to sometimes have brown gum streaks present which can cause rapid dulling of cutting edges. Care is required when drilling and mortising to prevent tearing at the exit of the tool. The timber nails, screws, glues, stains and polishes satisfactorily. The timber is said to have good resistance to splitting.

Note: The dust is reported to possibly cause dermatitis in some individuals.

Uses: The timber is used for a variety of purposes in South and Central America including heavy construction, structural timber, flooring, furniture, mine timber, ship and boat building, joinery, railway sleepers and turnery. It is reported to produce a reasonably good sliced veneer but is unsuitable for peeling and plywood manufacture.

Certification: We have established a supply of Santa Maria in 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: This timber is very similar to Sapele and is suitable for similar applications. This is the ideal answer for door lippings where a certified timber is required.

Grade: FAS/Selects and better. Graded to NHLA rules.

Specification: Square edge, 8ft and longer, 6ins and wider, allowing for 5% 4ins/5ins and 10% 6ft/7ft.

Stockholding: 1000 cubic feet in kiln dried or stock in kilns available in 1ins, 11/2ins, 2ins, 21/2ins, 3ins and 4ins thickness.