Mar mar

Geographical Distribution: The distribution was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, Madre de Dios and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m. above seal level. Large amounts of this species can be found in the northern Amazon of Peru. The tree: 20 m. tall, 80 cm diameter. Round trunk; short, slightly shallow canals. 1 m-high visible roots that reach 2 m above the base, then split and branch out. The surface of the bark has got long, superficial and open fissures that are noticeable above the first 3 m. Below the first 3 m. and specially in the visible branches, the bark is rough and shows round cracks in short longitudinal rows. Main bark has two layers: a 6-mm outer one that is compact, soft, pinkish brown and that inter locks with thinner yellowish brown bands; and a 2-mm, sheeted, yellowish inner layer

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) ranks from white to beige and hardwood (duramen) is intensely yellow and regular. Great contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns very pale brown HUE 7/4 10YR and duramen turns dark yellowish brown due to oxidation in the air HUE 4/6 10YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Distinctive and characteristic.
Shine or gloss Medium.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Medium to thick.
Streaks or patterns: Overlapped arches, thick parallel
bands, dark yellow streaks.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Mar mar is a heavy type of wood that shows low linear shrinkage and stable volumetric shrinkage.

Mechanical resistance is in the limit of the medial rank.
Physical Properties
Primary density 0.77 g/cm3
Tangential contraction 7.80 %
Radial contraction 3.50 %
Volumetric contraction %
T/R Ratio 2.20

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 160,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 1,315 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 622 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides kg/CM2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Mechanical properties high in relation to its high density. Mechanical resistance is high in relation to its high density lt's advisable to star-shape the saws before proceeding. This allows moderate workability. Performs well when dried in open air. Alburnum is prone to biological attack; therefore, preservation is advisable. Duramen is highly resistant against the attack of wood worms. When wood is dry, preservation is not needed. Moderately permeable to preservatives when treated with pressure.

USES
Wood is used as coal for bakeries and brick factories. Also used for the construction of canoes, heavy constructions, structures, coach building, furniture, floor tiles and carpentry in general