Greenheart – (Chlorocardiurn rodiaei)
Scientific name: Chlorocardiurn rodiaei (syn. Ocotea rodiei)
Family: Lauraceae
Common name (Guyana): Greenheart
International trade name: Greenheart
Wood Appearance:
Heartwood tends to be a light greenish yellow to dark olive-green, occasionally marked with brown or black streaks. Texture fine and even and grain straight or interlocked with good natural luster. The bole is 15-23m in length with a diameter of 35-60 cm.
Sapwood is pale yellow in colour, shading gradually into heartwood.
Physical and Mechanical Properties:
| Average Dried Weight: | 63 lbs/ft3 (1,010 kg/m3) |
| Modulus of Rapture (Bending Strength) | 26,900 lbf/in2 (185.5 MPa) |
| Janka Hardness: | Green Material: 1880lb Dried (12% MC): 2360lb |
| Elastic Modulus: | 21000 N/mm2 (3040,000 lbfl in²) |
| Crushing Strength: | 89.9 N/mm2 (13040 ibf/in²) |
| Shrinkage: | Radial: 8.2% Tangential: 8.9% Volumetric: 16.5% T/R Ratio: 1.1 |
| Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): | .81, 1.01 |
Extraordinarily high strength properties even when its weight is taken into account
Natural Durability:
Almost immune to decay and termites, highly resistant to marine organisms and heat. Extremely resistant (impermeable) to preservative treatment. It’s also considered to be one of the best-suited woods for use in marine environments, and has good weathering characteristics.
Odor: No characteristic odor
Timber Processing
Drying: Dries slowly with minor degrade (air-seasoning is recommended prior to kiln drying), particularly in the thicker size. Distortion is not serious but checking and splitting may occur.
Sawing/Workability: Easily sawn, despite minor blunting effect. Turns well. Planing is not difficult despite the high density of the wood and interlocked grain.
Machining: Difficult due to hardness; necessary to maintain sharp tools; the fine dust may cause allergy.
Gluing: Special pre-cautions necessary
Nailing: Pre-boring necessary
Finishing: Good
Veneering: Possible to slice
Applications/Uses
A very heavy, hard timber, suitable for use under exacting conditions, outstanding in most of its strength properties, and of very high durability and having excellent resistance to attack by marine borers.
Applications:
Piling piers, lock gates, heavy engineering and general construction also suitable for flooring, exterior wall, cladding and house frames. Gives good service in chemical plants for vats, filter press plates and frames. Suitable for joinery in both exterior and interior situations and used also for fishing rods and as centre laminar for longbows and general construction.