Manilkara spp. – Sapotaceae
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Heartwood light red when freshly cut, becoming red to dark reddish brown, distinct from the light pink to pale brown sapwood. Distinct growth rings, grain straight, texture fine and not distinctive odor and taste.
DENSITY
Heavy wood, with density at 12% moisture content of 1000 kg/m^3 and green density of 1260 kg/m^3.
DRYING
Kiln-dries rapidly, with moderate tendency for checking, pronounced twisting and medium cupping, when submitted to the drying schedule 1.
WORKABILITY
Easy sawing, peeling into veneers, turning, gluing and screwing. Finishes well in turning and boring. Nailing may cause checking. Presence of resin may dull cutters.
DURABILITY
Resistant to very resistant to decay fungi and to subterranean termites. Moderately resistant to dry-wood termites. Not resistant to marine borers. Highly resistant to humidity.
PRESERVATION
Heartwood not treatable with CCA-A even with pressure-vacuum systems.
USES
Civil and naval construction, piers, turnery, boards, musical instruments, flooring, truck bodies and others.
