Zapote

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Amazonas, Huánuco, Pasco, Loreto and San Martín, between 0 and 1000 m. above the sea level. Average amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon. The tree: Up to 50 m. tall, 90 cm diameter. Round trunk with thin, fairly or fully-developed visible branches. Balloon-like top, whorled branches which are specially notorious in young trees. The surface of the bark in young trees is smooth and has transverse edges; in older trees this might become rough. Woody dead bark comes apart in irregular pieces. Main bark is fibrous-sandy, 2 cm thick, and it's divided in two layers: a thick, reddish outer one that has got whitish sandy areas; and a thin, sheeted, beige inner one that turns pink.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is beige and hardwood (duramen) is yellow and regular. Slight and gradual contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns white HUE 8/2 2.5Y and duramen turns pale yellow HUE 8/3 5Y (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Distinctive, distinctive to almonds
Shine or gloss Intense / high.
Grain Straight.
Texture Medium to delicate.
Streaks or patterns: Good definition, vascular lines, slightly differentiated overlapped arches and narrow parallel bangs with golden glint.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Zapote is a moderately lightweight type of wood, showing low linear shrinkage and moderately stable volumetric shrinkage.
Mechanical resistance is in the limit of the medial rank.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.43 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 8.97 %
Radial contraction 3.81 %
Volumetric contraction 11.80 %
T/R Ratio 2.35

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 89,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 488.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 239.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 40.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 55.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 272.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 2.10 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Low mechanical resistance, easy to saw. Good performance when polished, lathe-shaped, molded and drilled.
Fast natural drying process. Good performance when artificially dried in a moderate setting.
Moderate natural durability, alburnum is prone to biologycal attack. Preservation is recommended by using hot-cold bath and vacuum-pressure chamber.

USES
Wood is used in construction carpentry, molding, cabinet making and furniture. Its appearance and characteristics make it suitable to substitute Oregon pine.