Locust provides as a good wear-resistant surface, which takes a fairly good polish. Locust is a wood of decorative appearance suitable for use in the manufacture of high-grade furniture, cabinet work, decorative joinery and veneer.
Scientific Name: Balata Hymenaea Courbaril – (Family:
Caesalpiniaceae)
A.T.I.B.T. Standard Name: Courbaril
Other Names: - Copalier, Algarrob, Gaupinal, Jatoba
Locust is a large, nearly evergreen tree growing to 130 feet high and 5 feet in diameter; but normally it is less than 100 feet high and 2-4 feet in diameter. Boles measure 60-80 feet in height.
Locust heartwood is light brown to brown often with dark streaks and at times may show a golden luster. The sapwood is of whitish grey color, which is sharply defined. Locust grain is usually interlocked, but is occasionally straight; the texture medium to coarse. The wood is particularly attractive, resembling sugar maple and having a high lustrous sheen marked with scattered lines.
Locust is very hard and strong, with good mechanical properties. Locust is also especially elastic.
Weight: In the green condition the timber weighs 70 pounds per cubic foot, and 57-62 lbs/ft3 (910-1000 kg/m3) when air-dry.
Specific Gravity: Air-dry wood averages about .84 based on air-dry volume and weight, and averages .67 based on green volume and oven-dry weight.
Locust is very resistant to decay.
Seasoning: Dries readily without distortion or splitting.
Working/Machining: Moderately difficult to work due to the high density of the wood. Planes and turns without difficulty. Good bending to steam process.
Assembly: Glues well. The wood is difficult to nail but has good screw-holding power.
Finishing: Finishes smoothly. Polishes and varnishes without difficulty.Locust provides as a good wear-resistant surface, which takes a fairly good polish. Locust is a wood of decorative appearance suitable for use in the manufacture of high-grade furniture, cabinet work, decorative joinery and veneer. It is also for ship-building, general construction, flooring, cross-beams, and the high shock resistance makes it ideal for sporting goods and tool handles.
Occurs widely but not abundantly in Guyana forests. Regular supplies in modest quantities are available.
Hardwood Lumber Suppliers Social Network. Join Us.
Greenheart is natually resistant to wood destroying organisms from the water and land. It is exceptionally hard and used in many different environments from flooring to piling.