Genizaro
(Pithecellobium saman)
Although Genizaro is widely used as ornamental tree and for shade in agroforestry systems, it is a preferred lumber species amongst locals for crafts and carpentry.
The tree is large in size and reaches heights of up to 30 meters. Its heartwood is basically brown, walnut to dark chocolate brown, which turns a light to golden brown. The wood has wavy, interlocked grain with a coarse texture but takes an excellent finish.
More about the species
Family: Leguminosae
Scientific Name: Pithecellobium saman
Other Names: Dormilon (Puerto Rico), Algarrobo (Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala), Cenicero (El Salvador, Costa Rica), Samaguare (Colombia), Lara, Carabali (Venezuela Huacamayo-chico (Peru), Monkeypod (Hawaii).
Workability: The wood saws and machines easily but may develop torn and fuzzy grain when working pieces with interlocked grain; takes an excellent finish.
Drying: Reported to air-season rather poorly with little or no checking but moderate to severe warp. No data available on kiln schedules.
Durability: The wood is rated durable to very durable in resistance to attack by a white-rot and brown-rot fungus and rated resistant to attack by dry-wood termites.
Uses: Fine furniture and cabinet work, millwork, decorative veneer, joinery. The tree is highly favored for its shade and nutritious pods eaten by cattle, hogs, and goats.
Technical Data
Janka hardness: 850 lbs
Density: 800 Kg/m3 or 0.94 g/cm3
Bending strength: 8,860 psi
Modulous of elasticity: 1,100 (1,000) psi
Tangential shrinkage: 3.4%
Radial shrinkage: 2.0%
* All values given at 12% moisture content.