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Carapa.org - Timber

Timber products

Trees in the genus Carapa belong to the Meliaceae family, also known as family of the mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla. Carapa wood quality is lower to that of Mahogany but its natural abondance make it a highly-prized and affordable timber for foresters and wood sellers. As a consequence, Carapa tree are often overexploited for export; survival of undescribed species is highly threatened as observed, for instance, in central Guyana where crabwood is a new species (forthcoming).

(Photo : tree base of Carapa sp. nov in Guyana)

Because of former little knowledge in Carapa systematics, information available on line so far only refers to Carapa guianensis. We warn users about the lack of  certification (at species level) of carapa wood that is currently available at international market level. Importantes differences in Wood characteristics across sources on line suggests misidentification of trees currently logged as Andiroba or Carapa guianensis.  New species (as in Guyana or the Amazon), even rare ones, likely occurs under the generally-accepted vernacular names andiroba, crabwood, carapa and the scientific name Carapa guianensis. The same facts hold for Non-Timber Forest Products extracted from seeds or barks.

Fr : CIRAD-Forêt  Fiche 1 - Fiche 2 / En : Ibama  - - Woodworkers - / Br : Ibama - / Es : Aguademinos

Wood description

Heartwood is a light salmon to reddish brown when fresh, becoming darker when dry, color very variable; sapwood is pinkish turning pale brown or grayish, not always sharply demarcated from heartwood.  Texture varies from fine to coarse; luster ranges from low to high; grain usually straight but sometimes roey; odor and taste lacking. (USDA). (Photo: roof with Carapa sp. nov. Guyana)

Anatomy : Voir Richter et Dallwiz (2000)

Wood physical properties

These are very variables depending on origin and conditions of tree growth, and most likely also depend on Carapa species identification.

Technical characteristics: cf. CIRAD-forêt - Madeireira Guimarães.

Uses

• Industrial manufacture : flooring, interior construction, cabinetry, veneer, furniture, and stairworks, plywood.

Fine Wood marketing - BestWoodfloor

• Indigenous communities : canoe, roof, door, window. (photo : Carapa sp. nov. Guyana)

* Cette page a été préparée à partir de l'ancienne version du site mnhn.fr/carapa