Wood of Guyana

Name: Kavish Somwaru

Grade: 9 B
Class: Building Technology
 Baromalli
Common name - Baromalli

Scientific name - Catostemma commune

Description - The heartwood of Baromalli is dull yellowish to pinkish-brown. It is not sharply

defined from the lighter coloured sapwood. It has dark coloured resin streaks that occur as arcs on the
cross section and lines on the surface. It has a coarse texture and the grain is straight. The bole is 21-27m
in length with a diameter of 60-90(-120) cm.

Appropriate uses - Baromalli is suitable for plywood manufacture. It is also used for interior
construction and paper pulp.

Technical Specifications - Baromalli is not naturally durable with it being susceptible to

fungi but it can be easily preserve by diffusion. It is a low to medium density timber. Air
dries without extensive degrade.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 600 kg/ms2

Bulletwood
Common name - Bulletwood
Scientific name - Manilkara bidentata
Description – The heartwood of Bulletwood is a medium to dark reddish brown. As the wood ages
the colour darkens while the sapwood is a pale yellow in colour. It has a fine uniformed texture and
the grain is straight to interlocked or wavy.
Appropriate uses - Bulletwood can be used for carpentry, bridges, floorings, stairs and heavy
construction.
Technical Specifications - Bulletwood is very durable making it good for marine use.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 1100 kg/ms2

Burada
Common name - Burada
Scientific name - Parinari campestris

Description – The heartwood of Burada is light brown to pinkish brown and it is rarely
yellowish brown. The sapwood is similar to heartwood’s colour. It has a fine texture, the grain is
generally straight and it’s slightly interlocked sometimes.

Appropriate uses - Burada can be used for ship kneel, heavy construction, flooring and marine
construction.

Technical Specifications - Burada is resistant to decay and to insects of dry wood.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 890 kg/ms2
 Crabwood
Common name - Crabwood
Scientific name - Carapa guianensis
Description - The heartwood of Crabwood varies from pale pink to rich red-brown when freshly sawn
and darkening to a uniform dull reddish-brown while the sapwood is pale brown or oatmeal coloured. It
has a medium to coarse texture and the grain is generally straight but sometimes interlocked. The bole is
15-20m in length with a diameter of 65-95(-180) cm.

Appropriate uses - Suitable for general carpentry, furniture, cabinet work, turnery and interior
joinery.

Technical Specifications - Crabwood is durable and is resistant to fire but the logs are
prone to attack by beetles.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 950 kg/ms2

 Darina
Common name - Darina
Scientific name - Hymenolobium spp.

Description – The heartwood of Darina is dark yellow brown to light brown while the sapwood
isn’t clearly distinct with a light cream to light brown colour. It has a coarse texture while the grain
is straight to interlocked.
Appropriate uses - Darina can be used for heavy construction, panelling, boxes and crates,
furniture and components.
Technical Specifications - Darina is durable and resistant to white-rot and brown-rot fungus
and it is moderately resistant to marine borers.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 750 kg/ms2

 Greenheart
Common name - Greenheart
Scientific name - Chlorocardium rodiei
Description – The heartwood of Greenheart is light greenish to a dark olive-green, sometimes
marked with brown or black stakes while the sapwood has a pale yellow colour, shading gradually
into heartwood. It has a fine and even texture and the grain is straight or interlocked. The bole is
15- 23m in length with a diameter of 35 – 60 cm.
Appropriate uses - Greenheart is suitable for flooring, boat building, marine work and general
heavy construction.
Technical Specifications - Greenheart is almost immune to decay and termites and it is
highly resistant to fire and marine creatures. It is also resistant to preservative treatment.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 970 kg/ms2

 Hububalli
Common name - Hububalli

Scientific name - Loxopterygium sagotii

Description - The heartwood of Hububalli is brown to reddish-brown commonly with darker

streaks. It has a uniform medium texture with good natural lustre while the grain is generally fine
and can also be wavy or interlocked.

Appropriate uses - Hububalli is best suited for panelling, furniture and cabinet work.

Technical Specifications - Hububalli is resistant to decay, termites and moisture.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 680 kg/ms2
 Iteballi
Common name - Iteballi

Scientific name - Vochysia spp.

Description – The heartwood of Iteballi is a pale pinkish brown but darkens to a golden
brown with yellow stripes while the sapwood is pale yellow or grey. It has a rather coarse
texture and the grain is generally straight to slightly interlocked. The bole is 15 to 21 metres
in length while the diameter is 30 to 55 cm.

Appropriate uses - Iteballi can be used for carpentry and furniture

Technical Specifications - Iteballi is resistant to decay, termites and insects of dry wood.
 Density (12% Moisture content): 580 kg/ms2
 Kabukalli
Common name - Kabukalli
Scientific name - Goupia glabra
Description - The heartwood of Kabukalli is light reddish-brown and darkens on exposure while
the sapwood has a distinct thick brownish or pinkish colour. It has a medium to coarse and rather
harsh texture while the grain is straight and is sometimes interlocked. The bole is 14-21m in length
with a diameter of 60-100(-150) cm.

Appropriate uses – Kabukalli is suitable for heavy construction, house framing, railway
sleepers, furniture and panelling.

Technical Specifications - Kabukalli is durable and can withstand fungal and insect attacks.
 Density (12% Moisture content): 840 kg/ms2
 Kereti Silverballi
Common name - Kereti Silverballi

Scientific name - Ocotea spp.

Description - The heartwood of Kereti Silverballi varies from grayish through yellowish buff to
light brown and darkens on exposure. The luster is medium to high. It has a rather fine to
moderately coarse texture while the grain is straight and sometimes wavy. The bole is 15 to 21
metres in length and the diameter is 50 to 60cm.

Appropriate uses - Kereti Silverballi can be used for interior joinery, furniture, light carpentry,
house framing, boxes and crates, light carpentry and plywood.

Technical Specifications - Kereti Silverballi is resistant to decay, insects, and marine borers
but it is susceptible to termites.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 420 kg/ms2

 Limonaballi
Common name - Limonaballi

Scientific name - Chrysophyllum pomiferum

Description – The heartwood of Limonaballi is a pale yellowish brown to dark brown while the
sapwood is not clearly distinct, light brown. It has a fine texture while the grain is straight to
interlocked. The bole is 16 to 24 metres in length with the diameter being 60 to 90 cm.

Appropriate uses - Suitable for heavy to light construction.

Technical Specifications - Limonaballi is moderately resistant to decay and it has good

treatability.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 950 kg/ms2

 Locust
Common name - Locust

Scientific name - Hymenaea courbaril

Description - The heartwood of Locust is light brown to brown often with dark streaks and a
subdued golden glow while the sapwood of whitish grey colour is sharply defined. It has a medium
to coarse texture and the grain is straight. The bole is 18-25m in length, with diameter 50-120(-
150) cm.

Appropriate uses – Locust is suitable for use in the manufacture of high grade furniture,
cabinet work and is also used for shipbuilding, general construction, and the making of tool
handles.

Technical Specifications - Locust is very resistant to decay.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 880 kg/ms2
 Mora
Common name - Mora
Scientific name - Mora excelsa
Description – The heartwood of Mora varies from chocolate-brown to reddish-brown in colour
while sapwood is yellowish to pale brown in colour. The grain is straight and often interlocked and
somewhat wavy or irregular. It has a coarse texture and bole 15-24m in length, rounded or
flattened. The diameter is 60-90 (-120) cm.

Appropriate uses - Best suited for heavy construction work, jetties and foreshore work.
Particularly suitable for sleepers, wagon bottoms, and for both traditional and mosaic flooring and
ship-building.

Technical Specifications - Mora is resistant to fire and it is also durable and extremely
resistant to preservatives.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 950 kg/ms2

 Muniridan
Common name - Muniridan

Scientific name - Siparuna spp.

Description – The heartwood of Muniridan is pink to red brown and sometimes olive
brown While the sapwood is pale yellow to light brown in colour. It has a medium to coarse
texture and the grain is often slightly to moderately interlocked. The bole is 20 to 25 metres
in length and the diameter is 60 to 100 cm.

Appropriate uses - Muniridan is used for general carpentry and fences

Technical Specifications - Muniridan resists decay, insects of dry wood and termites.
 Density (12% Moisture content): 650 kg/ms2
 Purpleheart
Common name - Purpleheart
Scientific name - Peltogyne spp.
Description – When freshly cut the heartwood of Purpleheart is dull brown and it oxidizes to violet-
purple when exposed to the sun but it gradually tones down to dark purplish-brown in colour while the
sapwood is a cream or whitish colour. It has a moderate to fine texture while the grain is generally straight
and sometimes wavy or interlocked. The bole is 15 to 27 metres in length while the diameter is 45 to 90 cm.

Appropriate uses – Purpleheart is suitable for building construction, boat building, tool
handles, oanel doors and furniture.
Technical Specifications - Purpleheart is highly resistant to fire, termites and decay. It is
also durable and resistant to preservatives while the sapwood is permeable.
 Density (12% Moisture content): 860 kg/ms2
 Red Cedar
Common name - Red Cedar
Scientific name - Cedrela odorata
Description – The heartwood of Red Cedar ranges from a pale pinkish-brown to a dark reddish
brown. It has a moderately coarse texture and the grain is normally straight or shallowly
interlocked. The bole is 12-18m in length with a diameter of 50-90(-180) cm and the wood is
characterized by a distinct fragrant smell.
Appropriate uses – Red Cedar is used for making cigar boxes, plywood, musical instruments,
joinery, furniture and boat building.

Technical Specifications - Red Cedar is moderately durable and resistant to decay. When dry,
it is resistant to termites.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 440 kg/ms2

 Shibadan
Common name - Shibidan
Scientific name - Aspidosperma album
Description – The heartwood of Shibadan is tan to rose red and is often streaked with purple or
brown and becoming brownish-yellow to medium brown when exposed while the sapwood is paler
than the heartwood but not sharply demarcated. The bole is 18 to 21 metres in length while the
diameter is 50 to 80 cm.
Appropriate uses – Shibadan can be used for general carpentry, carvings, floorings and
furniture.
Technical Specifications - Shibadan is durable and extremely resistant to preservative
treatment.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 410 kg/ms2

 Simarupa
Common name - Simarupa
Scientific name - Quassia simarouba
Description – The heartwood of Simarupa is whitish but not differentiated from the whitish or
straw coloured sapwood. It has a medium, uniform and lustrous texture and the grain is straight.
The bole is 15-30m in length with a diameter of 40-60cm.
Appropriate uses – Simarupa is used for interior construction, furniture, paper pulp and
plywood.
Technical Specifications - Simarupa’s timber has low durability.
 Density (12% Moisture content): 410 kg/ms2
 Soft Wallaba
Common name - Soft Wallaba
Scientific name - Eperua falcata
Description - The heartwood of Soft Wallaba is reddish-brown in colour, with dark gum streaks
which tend to spread over the surface while the sapwood is pale in colour and is sharply defined
from the heartwood. It has a coarse texture and the grain is usually straight. The bole is 15-20m in
length and diameter is approximately 60 cm and occasionally up to 100 cm.

Appropriate uses – Soft Wallaba is used for transmission posts, roundwood framing, charcoal,
flooring, fence posts and staves.

Technical Specifications - Soft Wallaba is highly resistant to decay and subterranean and
drywood termites.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 860 kg/ms2

 Tatabu
Common name - Tatabu
Scientific name - Diplotropis purpurea
Description - The heartwood of Tatabu is dark chocolate-brown in colour with conspicuous
paler markings while The sapwood is whitish, sharply demarcated from the heartwood. It has a
moderately coarse texture and the grain is interlocked, sometimes irregular. The bole is 18-21m in
length and diameter 40-60(-100) cm.
Appropriate uses – Tatabu can be used for boat building, house framing and flooring,
furniture and interior work.
Technical Specifications - Tatabu is resistant to decay and is highly resistant to termite and
fungal attacks.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 910 kg/ms2

 Tauroniro
Common name - Tauroniro

Scientific name - Humiria balsamifera var balsamifera

Description – The heartwood of Tauroniro varies from fawn colour to reddish-brown while the
sapwood is not well defined. There is lustre and it has a medium to fine texture. The grain is
straight and often interlocked. The bole is cylindrical, 18- 20m in length, 50-90(-120) cm in
diameter.

Appropriate uses – Tauroniro is used for heavy construction, house framing, bridges, flooring
and furniture.

Technical Specifications - Tauroniro is highly durable and it is resistant to fungi and termite
attack.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 950 kg/ms2

 Tonka Bean
Common name - Tonka Bean
Scientific name - Dipteryx odorata
Description – The heartwood of Tonka Bean is purplish pink tinge to reddish brown while the
sapwood is yellowish. It has a fine to medium texture and the grain is frequently interlocked. The
length of the bole is 18 to 24 metres and the diameter is 30 to 75 cm.

Appropriate uses - Tonka bean can be used for bridges, flooring, hydraulic works, heavy
carpentry, and marine construction

Technical Specifications - Tonka Bean is known to be very durable and it can resist brown
rot, white rot fungi, decay and insect damage.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 1070 kg/ms2

 Ulu
Common name - Ulu

Scientific name - Trattinickia spp.

Description – Ulu is pale green with some reddish brown areas. It has a coarse texture and
the grain is occasionally interlocked.

Appropriate uses - Ulu can be used for interior joinery, plywood, cheap furniture, boxes and
crates and light carpentry.

Technical Specifications – Ulu is light and durable and can resist marine worms and
termites.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 590 kg/ms2

 Wamara
Common name - Wamara
Scientific name - Swartiza leiocalycina
Description - The heartwood of Wamara is chocolate to purplish-brown with darker purple
streaks while the sapwood is pale in colour and sharply demarcated from heartwood. It has fine
texture and the grain is straight sometimes irregular. The bole is 18-21m in length with a diameter
of 40-75cm.

Appropriate uses - Suitable for interior decorative work and fittings. Can be used for
cabinetwork, furniture making, flooring and panelling. Very suitable for inlay work and turnery.

Technical Specifications - Wamara is durable and resistant to insects, preservatives and

decay.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 1060 kg/ms2

 Washiba
Common name - Washiba

Scientific name - Tabebuia sp. nov

Description - Washiba is dark brown, occasionally streaked black. It has a fine texture and the
grain is straight to irregular and.

Appropriate uses - Washiba can be used for making industrial and parquet flooring, outdoor
furniture, naval construction, heavy carpentry, cabinet work, hydraulic works and external and
interior joinery

Technical Specifications – Washiba is one of the most durable hardwood and it is

naturally resistant to mold, decay and insects.

 Density (12% Moisture content): 1040 kg/ms2

 References

21 Species Booklet 2004.pdf - Guyana Forestry Commission

https://www.houtdatabase.nl/pdf/Lesser%20Utilised%20Timber%20Species%20of%2
0Guyana%20(Guyana%20Forestry%20Commission).pdf
https://superiorwoodsguyana.com/darina/
www.hardwoodlumbersuppliers.com
https://www.wood-database.com/bulletwood/#:~:text=Color%2FAppearance%3A
%20Heartwood%20is%20a,tends%20to%20darken%20with%20age.&text=Workability%3A
%20Despite%20its%20high%20density,average%20dulling%20effect%20on%20cutters.
https://www.wood-database.com/hububalli/
http://www.hardwoodlumbersuppliers.com/hardwood-lumber/silverballi.html
https://www.gulutrading.com/wood_species/