Tatajuba
| Family | Moraceae |
| Botanical Names | Bagassa guianensis. |
| Continent | Latin America |
| CITES | (Washington convention of 2017)
No trade Restrictions |
| Diameter | 50 to 90 cm |
| Thickness of Sapwood | 2 – 4 cm |
| Buoyancy | Does not float |
| Log Conservation | Good |
Wood Description
| Reference colour | Sapwood | Texture | Grain | Interlocked grain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow brown | Clearly demarcated | Medium | Interlocked grain | Marked | When freshly cut, heartwood is yellow. It becomes yellow brown to dark brown with age |
Flat Sawn
Quarter Sawn
Physical and Mechanical properties
| Property | Mean Value |
|---|---|
| Density* | 0.80 |
| Monnin hardness* | 6.4 |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.53 % per % |
| Total tangential shrinkage (Ts) | 5.2 % |
| Total Radial shrinkage (Rs) | 3.7 % |
| T/R anisotropy ratio | 1.4 |
| Fibre Saturation point | 20 % |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.26 W/(m.K.) |
| Lower heating value | 19, 180 kJ/kg |
| Crushing strength* | 78 MPa |
| Static bending strength* | 109 MPa |
| Longitudinal modulus elasticity* | 21, 490 MPa |
Natural durability & Treatability
| Resistance to decay | Class 1 – very durable |
| Resistance to dry wood borers | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited sapwood) |
| Resistance to termites | Class D – Durable |
| Treatability | Class 3 – poorly treatable |
| Use class covered by natural durability | Class 4 –in ground or fresh water contact |
Notes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. This species naturally covers the use class 5 (wood permanently or regularly submerged in salt water, sea water, brackish water) due to its high silica content. According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified conditions in which it is used.
Preservation Treatment
| Against dry wood borer attacks. | This wood does not require any preservation treatment. |
| In case of temporary humidification | This wood does not require any preservation treatment. |
| In case of permanent humidification | This wood does not require any preservation treatment. |
Sawing and Machining
| Blunting effect | Fairly high |
| Tooth for sawing | Stellite tipped |
| Machining tools | Tungsten carbide |
| Suitability for peeling | Not recommended or without interest |
| Suitability for slicing | Good |
| Notes | Sawdust is an irritant. Presence of internal stresses |
Drying
| Drying rate | Normal to slow |
| Risk of distortion | Slight risk |
| Risk of case hardening | No known specific risk |
| Risk of checking | Slight risk |
| Risk of collapse | No known specific risk |
| Notes | High risk of distortion in case of highly interlocked grain. During drying, spacer sticks may stain the wood. |
| Suggested drying schedule | Schedule # 6 |
Assembling
| Nailing/ Screwing | Good but pre – boring necessary. |
| Notes | High specific gravity: important that gluing be performed in compliance with the code of practice and instructions for the glue used. |
Cross sections of Buchenavia fanshawei
Commercial Grading
Sawn timber appearance grading
According to NHLA grading rules (2015) Possible grading: FAS, Select, Common 1, Common 2, Common 3. In French Guiana, the local name of this species is "Baggase ". Grading is done according to local rules "Bois guyanais classés". Possible grading: Choice 1, choice2, choice 3, choice 4
Fire Safety
| Conventional French grading | Thickness > 14 mm: M3 (moderately inflammable)
Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (easily inflammable) |
| Euroclass grading | D-s2, d0
Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm. |
Main End uses
- Turned goods
- Heavy carpentary
- Ship building (planking and deck)
- Cabinetry (high- en furniture )
- Stairs (inside)
- Vehicle or container flooring
- Panelling
- Exterior joinery
- Interior joinery
- Flooring
- Sliced Veneer
- House framing
- Moulding
- Sleepers
Notes
Interlocked grain may be troublesome in the use of this wood