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BUCA (Sterculia colombiana)
Trade Name
Buca
Scientific Name
Sterculia colombiana Sprague
Family
STERCULIACEAE
Common Names
Buca (Ecuador); Gomo Blanco (Colombia); Zapate (Colombia); Zapote (Colombia); Acatuyo Yura (Ecuador); Sapote (Ecuador); Bocahue (Ecuador)
Scientific Name Synonyms
Sterculia solitudinis Mildbr.; Sterculia diguensis Cuatrec.
Description Of The Tree
Botanical Description
The trees are reported to reach heights of 30 m, with trunk diameters of 60 cm.
Natural Habitat
Sterculia colombiana is reported to be common in the primary tropical rain forests below 800 m above the sea level.
Natural Distribution
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Wood Identification
Anatomic Description Of Wood
Vessels in tangential pattern. Tangential diameter of vessel lumina 200 micras or more (large). Vessels per mm2 less than 6 (rare). Axial parenchyma in marginal or in seemingly marginal bands. Axial parenchyma aliform. Axial parenchyma confluent. Axial parenchyma oblique and/or sinuous. Rays less than 4 per mm (rare). Occasionally rays as wide or wider than the pores. Rays of two distinct sizes. Larger rays width 0. 1 mm or more and 2 mm or more in height. Larger rays more than 4 seriate.
Availability
Cites Status
Unrestricted
General Wood Description
Odor
Seasoned wood has no characteristic odor or taste.
Color
The white sapwood is clearly differentiated, sometimes with greenish tones, the heartwood is light brown with pink bands.
Grain
It has straight grain.
Texture
The texture is typically medium to coarse.
Luster
This species has low to moderate luster.
Natural Durability
The wood of the Sterculia group has low resistance to biological degrade.
Natural durability index (1= Very high durability, 7=Vey low durability)
5
Resistance To Impregnation
Timber of this group is reported to offer no difficulties to preservative treatments.
Wood Physical Properties
Basic Density or Specific Gravity (O.D. weight/vol. green) (g/cm³)
0.45
Air-dry Density (Weight and volume at 12%MC) (g/cm³)
0.49
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying: It is reported to dry rapidly. Drying Defects: Slight warping is reported. Collapse is reported in the darker streaks of the wood especially when kiln drying.
Wood Chemical Properties
Wood Mechanical Properties
Bending Strength (MOR),12%MC (kgf/cm²)
856
Stiffness (MOE) 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
116000
Compression parallel to fiber 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
406
Shear strength radial 12%MC (kgf/cm²)
43
Janka hardness (side) 12%MC (kgf)
296
Janka hardness (end grain) 12%MC (kgf)
398
Workability
Sawing
Cutting resistance is generally low.
Rotary Veneer Cutting
This species is reported to have good characteristics for lamination.
Sliced Veneer
This species is reported to have good characteristics for lamination.
Blunting Effect
Sometimes very slight blunting effect is reported.
Machining
Machining operations are easy but sometimes woolly surfaces are reported.
Nailing
Nailing is reported as easy.
Gluing
Gluing behavior is reportedly good.
Finishing
Filling is recommended.
REFERENCED USES
End Uses Summary
HOUSING GENERAL, fittings, FURNITURE AND CABINETS
General Housing
- 10 - Silica in Timbers
Fittings
- 19 - Silica in Timbers
Furniture Cabinets
- 21 - Tropical timbers of the world. Part III-Southeast Asian and Oceanian Species.
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