Manchinga

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martín and Ucayali, between 0 and 1500 m. above sea level. Good amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.
The tree: 40 m. tall, 150 cm diameter. Thick, steep roots, ranging from fairly to well-developed. Light green top. The surface of the bark is olive green, apparently smooth, some fissures on the surface. Main bark is yellowish. beige. Abundant, white sticky latex oozes down when cut.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is yellow, as well as hardwood (duramen). No contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pale yellow HUE 8/4 2.5 Y and duramen turns yellow HUE 816 10 YR.

Fragrance Distinctive.
Shine or gloss Medium to high.
Grain Straight to slightly interbred.
Texture Delicate to medium.
Streaks or patterns: Overlapped arches, clear stripes; narrow bands against golden gleam due to radius contrast.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Manchinga is a heavy type of wood, showing low linear shrinkage and moderately stable volumetric shrinkage. Mechanical resistance is in the limit of medial and high ranks.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.68 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 8.13 %
Radial contraction 4.96 %
Volumetric contraction 12.40 %
T/R Ratio 1.60

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 117,000 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 785.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 365.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 75.00 kg/cm2
Grain-parallel cut 109.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 720.00 kg/CM2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 3.60 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE

Wood is moderately difficult to work on. Suitable for carving. It's advisable to saw it in a radial motion to release tension and obtain high-quality products.
Slow drying process; requires mild setting if artificially dried.
Prone to biological attack of chromogene fungus. Therefore, damp wood should be processed immediately and should be preserved by immersion is preservatives.
Wood dries by using the hot-cold system. Wood and exporting products are preserved by means of pressure in auto-lock container.
In international markets, it is considered the substitute for Ramín.

USES

Wood is used in structures such as piles, columns, folding items, floor tiles, floors, works of carpentry, staircases, tool handles, plates, plywood, decorative plates, cabinet-making, furniture.