Azucar huayo

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, San Martín, Huánuco and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m above the sea level. Considerable amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.

The tree: 30 to 38 m tall. 200 cm diameter, none or few barely-developed, extended, thick visible roots. Round trunk; good to medium-quality blocks 20 to 35 m long and 30 to 90 cm diameter. Round, light green top. The surface of the bark is grayish, smooth, lentiscus-like; dead bark comes apart in irregular layers showing superficial fissures. Main bark is dark pink-, when cut, a crystal sticky secretion oozes down.

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

Fragrance Distinctive, pleasant.
Shine or gloss Medium.
Grain Straight and interbred.
Texture Medium.
Streaks or patterns: Overlapped arches, longitudinal
wide bands have golden glint.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Azucar huayo is a heavy type of wood that shows medium linear shrinkage, its volumetric shrinkage is moderately stable.
Mechanical resistance is in the limits of medial and high ranks.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.62 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 7.30 %
Radial contraction 3.30 %
Volumetric contraction 11.20 %
T/R Ratio 2.20

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 150,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 1,300.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 700.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 80.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 180.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 955.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 3.50 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
The wood has proved to have high mechanical resistance; therefore, it requires the adequate techniques for its sawing. Performs well when polished and shaped (good results), accepts gluing rather well. It is always advisable to use appropriate tools, but it's preferable to shape it up mechanically. When drying, the wood is stable, low risks of warping. Good natural durability, duramen is resistant to biological attack. Moderate absorption, impenetrable during preservation; alburnum is easily penetrated.

USES
Used in furniture, floor tiles, decorative panels, woodwork. It can also be used in construction: poles, columns and bridges. Also used for tool handles, lathe-shaping, sports gear, plates and plywood.