Mashonaste

Geographical Distribution: The distribution was obtained literature and herbal reports and inventories within the provinces of Huánuco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Loreto, Pasco, San Martín and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m. above seal level. Large amounts of this species can be found in the northern Amazon , average amounts can be found in the southern Amazon of Peru. The tree: 40 m. tall, commercial sizes in the average of 20 m. 80 cm diameter. Straight, cylinder-like trunk, poorly developed visible roots. The surface of the bark is smooth, thin, reddish gray, and t depicts orange cracks. Dead bark comes apart in long pieces that remain stuck to the surface of the trunk for some time above the visible roots. Dead bark is woody, corky, 1.5 cm thick. Main bark is yellowish white and white latex oozes.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is yellowish white and hardwood (duramen) is intensely yellow (like egg yolk) and regular. Great contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns very pale brown HUE 8/4 10YR and duramen turns reddish yellow HUE 6/6 5YR. sell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive
Shine or gloss Moderate to high.
Grain Straight and interbred.
Texture Medium.
Streaks or patterns: In a tangential cut: overlapped differentiated arches. In a radial cut: thick glossy parallel bands.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Physical Properties
Primary density 0.56 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 6.30 %
Radial contraction 3.00 %
Volumetric contraction 9.40 %
T/R ratio 2.10
Silica 0.20 to 1%

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 139,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 926.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 536.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 76.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 100.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 690.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 2.90 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Mashonaste is a semi-heavy, high-quality type of wood that shows average linear contractions and stable volumetric contractions Mechanical resistance is in the limit of the medial and high ranks. Wood is moderately difficult to saw since it's abrasive and because of the amounts of silica. lt's advisable to saw as soon as it has been cut. Carbide and star-shaped tools are needed. Good workability and good performance when drilled, la the-shaped, molded, glued and nailed. Natural drying process is moderately slow, there's risk of warping. Good performance when artificially dried in a moderate setting. Resistant to biological attack, termites, and dry-wood in sects. Good resistance to the attack of wood-eating fungus. No preservation required

USES
At present, the wood is used as structural wood in piles, columns, floors, railway sleepers, indoor carpentry, naval construction, canoes, boats, coachbuilding, furniture and stretchers.