Scientific Name
Pseudobombax elipticum
Trade Name
Amapola
Family Name
Common Names
Amapola
Regions of Distribution
Central America
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Mexico
Common Uses
Balusters, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Ceiling, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Figured veneer, Framing, Interior construction, Millwork, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plain veneer, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stringers, Veneer, Wainscotting
Environmental Profile
| Rare | ||||||||||||
| Abundant/Secure | ||||||||||||
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
The species occurs in Central America, and is found mainly in Belize and Mexico.
Heartwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Ages to dark rich shade of reddish-brown upon exposure |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Grey | ||||||||||||
| Yellowish red | ||||||||||||
| Not clearly defined from sapwood |
Grain
| Even |
| Straight to slightly interlocked |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Coarse |
Luster
| Low | ||||||||||||
| High | ||||||||||||
| Medium |
Natural Durability
| Very durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Moderately resistant to decay |
Odor
| Has an odor | ||||||||||||
| No specific smell or taste |
Toxicity
| Some toxic effects |
Kiln Schedules
| T8 -E5 (4/4 – 6/4) US | ||||||||||||
| T3 – D3S (8/4) US | ||||||||||||
| Schedule H – United Kingdom |
Drying Defects
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Splitting | ||||||||||||
| Distortion |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Slowly | ||||||||||||
| Reconditioning Treatement | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Air dries at moderate rate |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries slowly |
Tree Size
| Bole length is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
Blunting Effect
| Moderate | ||||||||||||
| Little |
Boring
| Fairly difficult to very difficult |
Carving
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Cutting Resistance
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Mortising
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Moulding
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Satisfactory moulding results |
Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement |
Nailing
| Pre-Boring Recommended | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Excellent nailing properties |
Planing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Excellent planing qualities |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Responds Poorly | ||||||||||||
| Easy to Work |
Routing & Recessing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Sanding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Screwing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Pre-boring recommended | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Screws hold very well |
Turning
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Veneering Qualities
| Suitable for slicing |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Strength Properties
| Weight = moderate | ||||||||||||
| Toughness-Hammer drop (impact strength) = very high | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = soft | ||||||||||||
| Density = medium | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
It’s properties have been compared to those of Basswood (Tilia americana )
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 25 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Weight | 25 | 20. | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 400 | kg/m3 |
References
Forest Trust – Goodwood. 1993. Personal Communication
Perpetua Hardwoods. Sea Star Trading Co. – Purveyors of Fine Wood. Newport, Oregon. Personal Communication, 1993