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BREU, KUROKAI, COPAL (Protium spp)
Trade Name
Breu, Kurokai, Copal
Scientific Name
Protium spp.
Family
BURSERACEAE
Common Names
Breu (Brazil); Breu-Branco-Do-Campo (Brazil); Borracheira (Brazil); Amescla (Brazil); Almécega (Brazil); Aguano (Brazil); Almecegueira (Brazil); Anime Blanco; Kurocai; Ganga Pisie; Fosforito; Fontal; Breu Branco (Brazil); Currucai; Cariano; Copal; Carano
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
Protium trees are up to 30 m tall, with diameters of 35 to 50 cm up to 100 cm. Some species are reported to present low, flat buttresses and fluted boles.
Natural Habitat
Protium trees are frequently found in the marsh forests of Guyana.
Natural Distribution
The distribution range of this species includes Central and South America.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Wood diffuse porous. Occasionally tyloses common. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 100 micras or less (very small). Axial parenchyma absent or extremely rare, non visible with magnifying glass (8x). Paratracheal axial parenchyma scanty and/or vasicentric. Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
No odor or taste are reported for this species.
Color
The wood of this species is reported to range in color from pinkish pale beige or grayish beige to pale brown.
COLOR INDEX (1=Black, 7=Light yellow,white)
5
Grain
Grain is typically straight, sometimes shallowly interlocked.
Texture
The texture is fine to medium.
Luster
Luster is rather high.
Natural Durability
This timber is susceptible to biological attack.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
5
Resistance To Impregnation
The heartwood is difficult to treat, but the sapwood is permeable.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.58
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.64
Total shrinkage Tangential (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
9.8
Total shrinkage Radial (Saturated to 0%MC) (%)
5.4
Recommended Dry Kiln Schedule
UK-C; US-T3-C2
Dimensional stability ratio (Total Tangential Shrinkage %/Total Radial Shrinkage %)
1.8
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
1139
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
128766
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
597
Compression perpendicular to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
118
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
128
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
645
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
823
Workability
Sawing
Resin may clog the saw, debarking is recommended.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
It is interesting for peeling, thermal treatments are recommended.
Sliced Veneer
It is interesting for peeling, thermal treatments are recommended.
Machining
Wood processing is reported to be easy using seasoned material.
Planing
The response of this species to planing operations is good to fair.
Nailing
Good nail-holding, but it has a tendency to split. Pre-boring is recommended
Gluing
Gluing behavior is reportedly good.
Finishing
It has a good finishing.
Polishing
Polishing of this wood is easy.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, boards, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, PACKING, light packing
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Boards
- 13 - Dry kiln schedules for commercial woods. Temperate and tropical. Section III. Latin American (Mexico, Central, and South America) Woods–Conventional Temperatures
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
Panels, Veneers
- 25 - Directory of Timber Trade Malaysia
Packing
- 45 - Recopilación y Análisis de Estudios Tecnológicos de Maderas Peruanas
Light Packing
- 46 - ECUADOR, Inventario y Aprovechamiento de los Bosques del Sur Ecuatoriano
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