Tzalam (Lysiloma bahamensis) belongs to the legume family and is widespread in the humid forest of Yucatan and Guatemala. The tree is seldom straight-shafted and cylindrical and tends to become instep-backed with age, which reduces the utilization of the wood.
The heartwood is brown with a grayish-reddish to violet sheen. Because of its walnut-like color, Tzalam is also known as ‘Mexican walnut’. The grain is lively and extensive, which is due to color changes in the growth ring structure. The pores are medium-fine and scattered. Decorative.
The spec. Weight is specified as 0.65 – 0.75 t/cbm at 12% wood moisture content. The medium-hard wood tends to crack, especially when fresh. The stamina is only satisfactory. Tzalam can be processed with all tools. With a fine final sanding, surfaces with a beautiful natural sheen can be created. The bending stiffness is average and depends on the density (modulus of elasticity 12,000 – 15,000 N/mm2), as does the shear strength. Tzalam is weather-resistant, but is only used indoors due to the low volume of wood.
Walnut, Dibetou, etc.
Trop. Forestry Pap.No.20 (1990) Mex.& Belizian Timbers, OFI-Oxford
Note: according to the latest findings, but excluding any liability
