Cuchi – Urunday – Urundel

Names and distribution:

Botanically, Cuchi(Astronium urundeuva) belongs to the Anacardiaceae, a rather rare family of the tropical forest. Cuchi is particularly common in the dry forest of the Chiquitania region of Bolivia. Cuchi is apparently identical with URUNDAY or URUNDEL, although this name is also used in Brazil for the species A. balansae and A. concinnum (source: ITTO).

Wooden picture:

The heartwood has a red base color with occasional wine-red streaks. Freshly cut wood is initially pinkish red and quickly darkens to a deep red when exposed to sunlight. The pores are small and scattered. The pores contain dark ingredients, but these are barely visible due to the size of the pores. The grain is often irregular. The wood is plain overall.

From left to right:
Chechen, Cuchi fresh, Cuchi matured, in comparison Satiné

Properties:

density at 12% moisture content is 1.22 ^t/m3. This makes Cuchi one of the densest woods in its area of distribution. The volume shrinkage is 12.5%, the tangential shrinkage is specified as 7.5% and the radial shrinkage as 3.7%. Cuchi is only moderately shrinking, but difficult to dry. Boards thicker than 26 mm tend to crack during drying. Drying must be carried out with appropriate care. The wood is extremely hard, but can be easily worked with all tools. Pre-drilling is absolutely necessary. The modulus of elasticity is specified as 15,200 ^N/mm2, the max. Bending stress with 136 ^N/mm2. Cuchi is weather-resistant and can be kept in contact with the ground for up to 25 years.

Use:

Heavy construction wood in gardening and landscaping, sleepers, wood for woodturning; special wood, wherever high hardness is required.

Replaced:

Afzelia, Bongossi, Cumaru, etc.