Catahua

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Amazonas, Cajamarca, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Ucayali and San Martín, between 0 and 2000 m above sea level. Average amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.

The tree: 40 m. tall in total, 35 m. tall commercially, 0.60 to 1.50 m. diameter. Shinny, dark-green foliage top. The surface of the bark is smooth and grayish, main bark is creamy white. An eye-irritating caustic latex oozes down.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When trunk is freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is white and hardwood (duramen) is pale yellow. Slight contrast of colors between both layers. When wood is dried in open air, alburnum turns white HUE 8/2 2.5Y and duramen turns very pale brown HUE 7/4 10YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive.
Shine or gloss Medium.
Grain Straight to interbred.
Texture Medium to thick.
Streaks or patterns: Overlapped arches.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Catahua is a lightweight type of wood, showing low linear shrinkage and moderately stable volumetric shrinkage.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.41 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 5.81 %
Radial contraction 3.43 %
Volumetric contraction 9.00 %
T/R Ratio 2.30

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 68,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 401.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 126.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP): 28.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 51.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 236.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 3.90 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
This wood's low mechanical resistance facilitates its sawing and performs well when worked on.
Average performance when artificially dried in a heavy duty setting.
Its natural low-medium durability makes it prone to biological attack. Therefore, it is recommended to treat it with preservatives through hot-cold bath systems or vacuum pressure chamber.

USES
The wood can be used for wood panels, indoor panels, particle boards, laminating, plates and plywood, moldings and cabinet-making.