Estoraque

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, Ucayali, San Martín, Madre de Dios and Huánuco, between 0 and 1500 m. above sea level. Average amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon. The tree: 25 m. tall in average and 22 m. tall commercially, 0.70 m. diameter. Straight and cylinder-like trunk. Bark depicts long, rough cracks, sometimes diffused and others in rows. An asphyxiating smell is expelled by the resin that oozes down. Presence of semi-circular edges.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is creamy white and hardwood (duramen) is reddish brown. Abrupt contrast of colors between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pale yellow HUE 8/4 2.5Y and duramen turns reddish brown HUE 4/4 5YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Distinctive, pleasant when sawed.

Shine or gloss Medium to high.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Medium to delicate.
Streaks or patterns: Narrow parallel bands, overlapped arches.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Estoraque is a heavy type of wood that shows low linear shrinkage and stable volumetric shrinkage.
Mechanical resistance is ranked as high.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.78 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 6.52 %
Radial contraction 4.16 %
Volumetric contraction 9.97 %
T/R Ratio 1.56

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 175,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 1,340.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 714.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP): 130.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 163.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 1,143.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 6.60 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Wood is moderately difficult to saw, but its mechanic properties are high. Slow natural drying process, wood performs well when artificially dried in a mild setting. Alburnum is prone to biological attack and duramen shows high natural durability and does not require preservation.

USES
Wood can be used in floors, wooden floor tiles, railway sleepers, fences, crossbeams, construction of heavy structures, car bodies, underwater piles, tool handles and sports gear.