Timber Species
Crabwood

Scientific Name:
Carapa guianensis

Family: Meliaceae

ATIBT Standard Name: Andiroba

Other Name: Krapa, Guino, Figueroa, Tangare, Carapa, Crappo

Wood Appearance: Heartwood varies from pale pink to rich red-brown when freshly sawn, darkening to a fairly uniform dull reddish-brown. Wood resembles a plain mahogany in appearance, but lacks its natural lustre.

• Sapwood - pale brown or oatmeal coloured, not always sharply defined
• Texture - medium to coarse
• Grain - generally straight but sometimes interlocked
• Bole - 50-80 feet long, cylinderical; diameter 16-20 inches

Physical and Mechanical Properties: Comparable in strength to European Beech. Small movement. Moderately hard with good mechanical properties and is fairly stable in use.

• Weight - 610kg/m3 (39 lb/ft3 ) seasoned
• Bending Strength -
• Modulus of elasticity -
• Compression parallel to grain -
• Shock resistance -

Natural Durability: Heartwood is moderately durable and fire resistant. Logs liable to attack by ambrosia (pinhole-borer) beatles.

Timber Processing

• Drying - Dries fairly well but rather slowly with a tendency to split in the initial stages. Kiln Schedule C.
• Working - Saws without difficulty. Interlocked grain makes planing difficult. Works easily and turns well, finishing smoothly.
• Assembly - Glues and holds nails well. Tendency to split on nailing.
• Finishing - Takes staining and polishing satisfactorily.

Uses: Suitable for general carpentry, furniture, cabinet work, turnery and interior joinery.

Supplies: Occurs in reasonable quantities in Guyana's forests. Regular supplies possible.