Botanically, Goncalo alvez belongs to the genus Astronium within the Anacardiaceae family. Woods of the species Astronium lecointei, A. graveolens, A. fraxinifolium are traded. In Germany, the ATIBT’s common name is Goncalo-Alvez, and in English-speaking countries the term “Tigerwood” is also used. The distribution includes the Amazon region (Muiracatiara) and Central America (where A. graveolens, “Jobillo” is found). Only occasionally found in wet forests. A valued wood species in the countries of origin.
Light sapwood, set off, heartwood of light brown to reddish brown basic color with dark, distinctive stripes of varying width and height, which give the wood its characteristic character. The grain is straight, pores and texture are fine. Rarely occurring twisted growth. An optimum appearance is achieved with radially cut wood, i.e. with vertical growth rings. Very decorative overall.
Heavy wood with a gross density at 12% moisture content of 0.8 – 0.85 t/m³. The total tangential shrinkage is specified as 7.3% and the radial shrinkage as 4.1%. The modulus of elasticity at 12% wood moisture is 17,100 N/mm². The wood is hard and rigid. Drying must be slow to avoid warping. With thicker cross-sections, there is a risk of cracking during drying. Goncalo-Alves is easy to machine; pre-drilling is required. The natural resistance is good to very good.
| Sources: |
ATIBT (1990): Atlas de Maderas Tropicales de América Latina GOTTWALD (1970): Wood identification of the most important commercial woods IBAMA (2002): Madeiras Tropicais Brasileiras |
Note: according to the latest findings, but excluding any liability
