- GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: heartwood olive brown when freshly cut becoming reddish brown with brownish yellow stripes, distinct from the very pale brown or pinkish gray sapwood. Indistinct growth rings, grain interlocked, texture coarse, not distinctive odor.
- DENSITY: heavy wood, with density at 12% moisture content of 840 kg/m3 in V. sericea and 930 kg/m3 in V. paraensis, green density of 1,220 kg/m3 in V. sericea and 1,240 kg/m3 in V. paraensis.
- DRYING: moderate air-drying rate, with little or no defects. (6) Rapid kiln-drying with a moderate tendency for a medium cupping and twisting, when submitted tot he drying schedule 1.
- WORKABILITY: moderately good for work, but raised grain in planing are common. (6) V. sericea is very easy to turn allowing excellent finishing. Fine dust raised during working affects some operators. (6)
- DURABILITY: heartwood moderately durable to durable, when evaluated in field tests. (6)
- PRESERVATION: heartwood of V. sericea not treatable with CCA-A, even with pressure-vaccum systems.
- USES: civil construction, paneling, flooring, cabinet making, railroad crossties and others.
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