Trade Names
Guanacaste, Kelobra, Perota, Jenisero
Similar Woods
Origin
Central and South America
Range
North of Mexico to Venezuela and Columbia. Guanacaste mainly grows in the subtropical rain forests.
Uses
Guanacaste is relatively unknown to the veneer industry and is practically unused as veneer outside of Middle and South America. It is of local relevance as construction wood as well as for furniture production.
Properties
The coarse-pored, relatively light-weighted wood is of medium durability and is considered to be resistant to dry rot and termite infestation. The trunks reach up to 40 m in height while gaining diameters of up to 3 m. After processing, the Guanacaste wood shows good sturdiness. Processing must be done with caution as wood shavings as well as sawdust can cause skin irritation.
Machining
In general, Enterolobium cyclocarpum can be worked easily with all kinds of mechanical tools and shows smooth and lustrous surfaces in the end. Caution is called for when the wood is under high tension resulting from wrong drying as rough and fuzzy surfaces may result in that case.
Seasoning
The Guanacaste species usually dries slowly with a shrinkage of approx. 2% in radius and 5.2% tangentially. As is the case with many other wood species, the technical drying process of the Guanacaste wood, belonging to the family of the Mimosaceaen, should always be watched carefully.
Finishing
Smooth and lustrous surfaces can easily be achieved with proper tools. Surface finishing of dried wood with tension, however, causes problems.
Jointing
Problem-free.