Aguano masha

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of this species was obtained from literature, herbal reports and inventories within the provinces of Cuzco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Lore to and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m above sea level. Small amounts of this species can be found in the northern Amazon, large amounts can be found in the southern Amazon of Peru.

The tree: 30 m tall, up to 120 cm diameter; cylinder-type trunk, visible roots are thick and barely or fairly developed. The surface of the bark is ash brown, showing longitudinal cracks; Dead bark comes apart in long sections which remain attached to the surface of the trunk for some time. Above the visible roots, 1.5-cm-thick woody and cork-like dead bark. Main bark is 0.5 cm, from which drops of blackish-red resin ooze.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut sap wood (alburnum) is regular brown and hardwood (duramen) is brown and regular. Great contrast of color between layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pale yellow HUE 8/4 2.5Y and duramen turns brown HUE 5/4 7.5YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive.
Shine or gloss Moderate / medium.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Delicate
Streaks or patterns: Barely defined, overlapped arches slightly differentiated. Narrow, glossy, parallel bands.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Physical Properties
Primary density 0.73 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 4.90 %
Radial contraction 2.71 %
Volumetric contraction 7.47 %
T/R Ratio 1.80

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 139,000 kg/Cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 1,102.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 574.00 kg/Cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP): 127.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 135.00 kg/Cm2
Hardness on the sides 1,052.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 5.90 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Aguano masha is a heavy type of wood, showing mid linear shrinkage and balanced volumetric shrinkage. Mechanical resistance is in the limit of medium and high ranks.
This wood is moderately difficult to saw due to its high mechanical resistance
Good workability, appropriate finish for the production of wooden floor tiles for export.
Drying process is stable, low risk of warping.
Alburnum is prone to biological attack, pieces containing some of t must be preserved. Duramen is resistant, therefore pieces made entirely out of it needn't be preserved.

USES
At present, it is used in floors, railway sleepers, home structures, indoor woodwork, crafts and wooden floor tiles for ex port.