Timber Species
Mora

Scientific Name:
Mora excelsa

Family: Caesalpiniaoeae

ATIBT Standard Name: Mora

Other Name: Nato, Dakama, Pracuuba

Wood Appearance: Mora (and Morabukea which is similar in structure) heartwood varies from chocolate-brown to reddish-brown.

• Sapwood - wide with yellowish to pale brown colour
• Texture - coarse
• Grain - straight often interlocked and somewhat wavy or irregular
• Bole - 50-80 feet long, rounded or flattened, diameter 24-36 inches

Physical and Mechanical Properties: A very heavy, very hard wood, large movement, dries very slowly with appreciable degrade. Outstanding strength properties, particularly resistant to wear.

• Weight - 900-1000kg/m3 (56-68 lb/ft3 ) seasoned.
• Bending Strength -
• Modulus of elasticity -
• Compression parallel to grain -
• Shock resistance -

Natural Durability: Heartwood very durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment. Mora is markedly fire resistant.

Timber Processing

• Drying - Kiln Schedule B. Slow, must must be carried out carefully because of risk of distortion and checking.
• Working - Difficult to saw, because of its density and interlocked grain. With the same qualification it can be planed, finishes smoothly, turns easily, splits with great difficulty.
• Assembly - Difficult to nail but holds nails and rail spikes well. Pre-boring is necessary.
• Finishing - Staining and polishing satisfactory.

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 shipbuilding.

Supplies: Very common in Guyana. Abundant and regular supplies assured.