The Tree |
Trees grow to heights of 170 ft with diameters to 4 ft, but usually 1-1/2 to 3 ft; boles are straight, cylindrical, and clear 60 to 90 ft above buttresses up to 12 ft high. |
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The Wood |
General Characteristics:
Heartwood brown when freshly cut becoming deep purple upon exposure, eventually turning to a dark brown sharply demarcated from the off-white sapwood. Texture medium to fine; luster medium to high, variable; grain usually straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular; without distinctive odor or taste. |
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Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) varies with species from 0.67 to 0.91; air-dry density 50 to 66 pcf. |
Mechanical Properties:
(First set of data based on the 2-in. standard; second on the 2-cm standard; third on the 1-in. standard.) |
Moisture content |
Bending strength |
Modulus of elasticity |
Maximum crushing strength |
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Psi |
1,000 psi |
Psi |
Green (4)* |
13,960 |
2,000 |
7,020 |
12% |
19,220 |
2,270 |
10,320 |
Green (2) |
21,000 |
2,560 |
9,250 |
15% |
26,700 |
-- |
12,200 |
12%(1) |
30,900 |
3,460 |
14,500 |
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