Common Name: Albarco

General Information

Albarco is a large tree growing up to 38 metres tall, with some specimens reaching heights of over 50 metres[]. It can produce a clear bole from 15 - 24 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre, it is also exploited commercially for its high quality timber which is exported[].
A relatively wide ranging species of primary forest, but extensive exploitation has greatly reduced populations. It is now threatened at a national level in Colombia and is causing some concern in Venezuela. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana.

Habitat

Common on lower slopes and well-watered valleys, and does not extend into flood plains except occasionally in better drained areas[]. Occurs at elevations of up to 600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 30°c, but can tolerate 18 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 2,000 - 4,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. Prefers a medium to heavy, moderately fertile soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].
Annual wood production potential is 10 - 20 m3/ha[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is made into cordage[].

The heartwood is pinkish brown or reddish; it is usually not clearly demarcated from the 5 - 7cm wide band of paler-coloured sapwood. The texture is rather fine; the grain straight to slightly interlocked, and sometimes attractively figured; lustre medium to high. The wood is moderately hard; moderately heavy; tough; strong; durable, being resistant to termites, dry wood and marine borers, and moderately resistant to fungi. It seasons somewhat slowly with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It is fairly difficult to work because of its silica content - it is reported to dull saws and other tools very quickly so cutters tipped with tungsten carbide and the use of slower feed-speeds are recommended; a filler is required to obtain a lustrous finish; it takes paints satisfactorily; nailing and screwing are good but require pre-boring; gluing is correct. Stock is resilient and quite resistant to shock. It peels and slices well. The wood has a wide range of applications, including for cabinet making and high class furniture, light carpentry, joinery, interior panelling, ship building, flooring and turnery[, ]. It is made into veneer[].

Propagation

Seed -

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