Araracanga
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Common Name(s): Araracanga, Volador Scientific Name: Aspidosperma megalocarpon Distribution: Mexico, Central America, and northern South America Tree Size: 100-120 ft (30-37 m) tall, 3-4 ft (1-1.2m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 59 lbs/ft3 (935 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .75, .94 Janka Hardness: 2,450 lbf (10,900 N) Modulus of Rupture: 22,060 lbf/in2 (152.1 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 3,041,000 lbf/in2 (20.97 GPa) Crushing Strength: 12,830 lbf/in2 (88.5 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 5.8%, Tangential: 9.3%, Volumetric: 16.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 |
Color/Appearance: Heartwood ranges from golden yellow to reddish brown, sometimes with violet/pinkish streaks. Yellowish sapwood not always clearly demarcated from heartwood. Color tends to darken with age.
Grain/Texture: Grain is straight with a uniform medium texture.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium pores in no specific arrangement; exclusively solitary; growth rings indistinct; rays not visible without lens; parenchyma not visible.
Rot Resistance: Durability can vary based on growing location: rated anywhere from moderately durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, though susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Overall easy to work, producing good results, though Araracanga has an above average blunting effect on cutters. Glues, turns, and finishes well.
Odor: No characteristic odor.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Araracanga has been reported to cause skin and respiratory irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
