The botanical name of Chechen is Metopium brownei. The species occurs in the humid forest of Yucatan and is one of the dominant tree species there. Chechen is available in large quantities without any problems.
Heartwood has a coffee-brown basic color with reddish to greenish shades. Strong color variations are possible from tree to tree. Flat cuts show large areas of veining, radial cuts show a simple play of colors. Medium pore size, wavy grain, often intertwined and twisted. Decorative.
The density at u=12% wood moisture is approx. 0.85 t/m3.
Because of its latex-containing ingredients, Chechen is slow to dry. Machining is unproblematic, although the strong twisting growth may lead to woolly surfaces that need to be reground. As a rule, smooth, glossy surfaces can be achieved. The wood is hard and quite rigid according to its density. Different, divergent information is available on dimensional stability. The natural durability (weather resistance) is high.
Use:
Furniture, woodturning, instrument making.
Replaced:
Sucupira, Teak, Afrormosia
| Sources: |
Trop. Forestry Pap. no. 20 (1990) Mex. & Belizian Timbers, OFI-Oxford |
