TECHNICAL DATA
FAMILY: Tigerwood
Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
GENUS:
Astronium spp.
SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAMES:
1. Astronium Lecointei
2. Astronium Graveolens
3. Astronium Fraxinifolium
4. Astronium Urundeuva
5. Astronium Balansae
DISTRIBUTION:
Astronium is a common tree with an area of natural distribution from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America and South America to the Andes Mountains in the west and south to Argentina. There are no US CITES regulations (reciprocal international ecoregion treaties concerning threatened or endangered species) with references to Astronium. HABITAT:
It is found at altitudes ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet but is most common at 1,500 to 1,800 feet in both dry and humid forests. It does not tolerate saturated or heavy clay soils but grows well in poorly drained limestone or rocky and alluvial soils. Best growth is obtained on lighter soils with less than 40% clay, neutral pH and good drainage. In most of its range it is considered one of the major canopy species in both primary and secondary forests. It is a sub canopy species in marginal lowlands or very high elevations. It is considered a good candidate for plantation farming with easy germination, wide habitat range and 35 to 45 year merchantable harvest rotations.
BOTANICAL
DESCRIPTION:
Astronium is a deciduous tree maturing to a maximum of 25 to 105 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet in diameter depending on habitat and growing conditions. It is a relatively fast growing tree averaging 2-5 growth rings per inch to maturity with 2 to 4 inches of white sapwood. The tree is symmetrical with a straight bole, small narrow buttress flanges 3 to 6 feet tall, and a spreading or round dense crown.
HEARTWOOD DESCRIPTION:
Color when fresh is light orange to reddish brown and is more or less conspicuously marked with vertical blackish bands of variable spacing. There is often a variegated grain appearance which produces a very striking and beautiful mottled figure. Continuous unprotected exposure to sunlight turns the color more reddish and accentuates the black striping but eventually turns it a uniform silver-grey. The grain varies from straight to intercrossed; the texture is fine and homogenous; and the luster generally high. Wood cells are relatively square, small and medium to very thick-walled. There are few to minor mineral inclusions with silica generally absent. The wood is very heavy, with a basic specific gravity of .75 to .79. The green weight is 5,500 to 5,700 lbs per thousand board feet and 3,400 to 3,550 lbs per thousand board feet at 12% moisture content. Tiger Deck products are dried to 7-9% moisture content and weigh 2,750 lbs per thousand board feet on a nominal basis.
REQUIREMENT OF A PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT:
Against dry wood borer attacks: Does not require any preservative treatment
In case of permanent humidification risk: Does not require any preservative treatment
END USES LISTED IN DECENDING ORDER BY HISTORICAL VOLUME USED:
1. Structural Carpentry
2. Bridge Construction
3. Cabinetry
4. Sliced Veneers
5. Flooring
6. Exterior Joinery
7. Interior Joinery
8. Indoor Furniture
9. Boat Carpentry
10. Marine Piling and Carpentry
11. Outdoor Furniture
12. Porches and other Outdoor Decking
13. Tool Handles
14. Musical Instruments
15. Sculpture
PICTURES:  The tree in full bloom  The tree trunk  The tree leaf  The tree fruit
PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| | | Description | Source or Method | Value | | Bending Strength (psi @ 12%) | USDA Forest Service | 16,620 | | Modulus of elasticity (1000 psi @ 12% | USDA Forest Service | 2,230 | | Maximum crushing strength (psi @ 12%) | USDA Forest Service | 10,320 | | Janka side hardness (dry) | USDA Forest Service | 2,160 | | Weight (green) | USDA Forest Service | 77 lbs/cu.ft. | | Density (oven dry/green volume - air dry wt) | USDA Forest Service | .75 - 60 lbs/cu.ft. | | Radial shrinkage (green to oven dry) | USDA Forest Service | 4.0% | | Tangential shrinkage (green to oven dry) | USDA Forest Service | 7.6% | | Volumetric shrinkage (green to oven dry) | USDA Forest Service | 10.0% | | Coefficient of friction (dry | ASTM F1679 | >0.96 | | Coefficient of friction (wet) | ASTM F1679 | 0.61 | | Durability Fungi Dry wood borers Termites | USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service USDA Forest Service | Very durable Very durable (risk limited to sapwood) Very durable | | Permeability | USDA Forest Service | Very difficult to chemically impregnate | | Sawing & Machining Sawtooth recommended Cutting tools Knife cutting angle | | Stellite tipped Tungsten carbide 15 Degrees | | Nailing / Screwing | | Good but pre-boring recommended | | Gluing | | Use glues with longer open time such as exterior or woodworkers white glue. | | Tree size | USDA Forest Service | 24"-40" dia. / 120' ht. | | Fire Rating | ASTM E 648-03 ASTM E 84-05 | NFPA 101 Type I NFPA 101 Class B | | Solid Wood Decking Load Tables Tiger Deck 4/4 (net 23/32) | Joist Spacing inches | Allowable Load (PSF) | Maximum Deflection | Maximum Flexural Stress (psi) | Deflection L/Span | | 12 | 40 | 0.00043 | 58 | L/27698 | | 16 | 40 | 0.00137 | 104 | L/11685 | | 19.2 | 40 | 0.00284 | 149 | L/6762 | | 24 | 40 | 0.00693 | 233 | L/3482 | | 12 | 60 | 0.00065 | 87 | L/18485 | | 16 | 60 | 0.00205 | 155 | L/7790 | | 19.2 | 60 | 0.00426 | 224 | L/4508 | | 24 | 60 | 0.01040 | 350 | L/2308 | | 12 | 90 | 0.00097 | 131 | L/12310 | | 16 | 90 | 0.00308 | 233 | L/5193 | | 19.2 | 90 | 0.00639 | 336 | L/3005 | | 24 | 90 | 0.01560 | 524 | L/1539 | Solid Wood Decking Load Tables Tiger Deck 5/4 (net 15/16) | Joist Spacing inches | Allowable Load (PSF) | Maximum Deflection | Maximum Flexural Stress (psi) | Deflection L/Span | | 12 | 40 | 0.00022 | 37 | L/54096 | | 16 | 40 | 0.00070 | 66 | L/22822 | | 19.2 | 40 | 0.00145 | 95 | L/13207 | | 24 | 40 | 0.00355 | 148 | L/6762 | | 12 | 60 | 0.00033 | 58 | L/38085 | | 16 | 60 | 0.00105 | 99 | L/15215 | | 19.2 | 60 | 0.00218 | 143 | L/6805 | | 24 | 60 | 0.00532 | 224 | L/4508 | | 12 | 90 | 0.00050 | 84 | L/24043 | | 16 | 90 | 0.00158 | 149 | L/10143 | | 19.2 | 90 | 0.00327 | 215 | L/5870 | | 24 | 90 | 0.00799 | 335 | L/3005 | SOURCES:
Commercial Testing Company H.G. Richter and M.J. Dallwitz (2000 onwards) W.A. Marin and E.M. Flores Universidad de Costa Rica and Academia Nacional de Ciencias de Costa Rica, respectively Rodolfo Salazar, CATIE and Dorthe Joker, Danida Forest Seed Centre, Denmark USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory Chudnoff, Martin. 1984. Tropical Timbers of the World. Tropix 4.1 Copyright: CIRAD - FORET 2003 High Safety Consulting Services Stroh Engineering
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