Ubos

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Amazonas, Huánuco, Junín, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Pasco, San Martín and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m. above sea level. Average amounts of the species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.
The tree: Up to 30 m. tall, 120 cm diameter. Straight trunk, small visible roots. Esphere-like top, proportionate to the trunk. Surface of the bark is rough, fissured in certain areas, grayish brown; it comes apart in large sheets that are apparently rigid and that leave permanent traces on the surface of the trunk. Main bark is brown or light pink, depicting inserted whitish bands that are granular or spongy. Little exudation is crystal, sticky and astringent-tasting. Bark is 3 to 4 cm thick in total.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood. (alburnum) is yellowish white and hardwood (duramen) is yellow. Slight contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns white HUE 812 2,5Y and duramen turns pale yellow HUE 8/4 2,5Y (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Slightly distinctive.
Shine or gloss Medium.
Grain Straight to interbred.
Texture Medium
Streaks or patterns: Radial cut gloss defined by the contrast of the ratii.

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

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.35 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 7.44 %
Radial contraction 3.18 %
Volumetric contraction 10.00 %
T/R Ratio 2.34

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 80,000 kg/Cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 400 kg/Cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 204kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 25 kg/Cm2
Grain-parallel cut 54 kg/Cm2
Hardness on the sides 199 kg/Cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 1.7 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Wood is easily sawed. In order to avoid rag-like surface, saw must be carefully sharpened.
No particular problems when dried artificially. Interbred grain pieces might result in moderate warping.
Low natural durability makes is prone to biological attack. Damp wood must be preserved through immersion system. Hot-cold bath is recommended for dry wood.

USES
Wood is used in plates, plywood, framework, light cabinet making, shipping, indoor carpentry, airplane-modeling and scale models.