| Botanical names: | Brown: Licaria canella Sof Kereti: Ocotea oblonga Hard Kereti-Ocotea wachenheimii,, Yellow: Aniba hypoglauca |
| Family: | Lauraceae |
| Vernacular name (Guyana): | Brown Silverballi, kereti silverballi |
| International trade names: | Brown Silverballi, Kereti Silverballi, |
| Wood Appearance |
| In Guyana the Silverballi group is divided into "hard" and '"soft", with the dividing line being put at an air-dried specific gravity of 37 lb/ft3. The heartwood ranges from greyish through yellowish-buff to light brown and darkens on exposure. The lustre is medium to high and the texture fine to moderately coarse. The grain is straight and occasionally interlocked and the wood usually has a pleasant aromatic scent. The bole is 15-21m in length and the diameter 50-60 (-120) cm. |
| Physical and Mechanical Properties |
| The "hard" Silverballi is rather light to heavy. Movement rather low; the lighter species shrink less than the heavier types. |
| Properties (at 12%) Licaria canella Aniba hypoglauca Ocotea glomerata Ocotea oblonga |
| Air dried density (kg/m3) 1110 589-640 630 420 |
| Bending strength (N/mm2) 226 67 104 72 |
| Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) 26000 9100 11569 9167 |
| Crushing strength (N/mm2) 120 40 60 39 |
| Natural Durability |
| It is moderately resistant to insects and decay, highly resistant to marine borers but susceptible to termites. It is difficult to impregnate. |
| Treatability |
| Poor to good according to species |
| Timber Processing |
| Drying - Covering when air-drying is recommended. The risk of distortion is high but that of checking is very slight. |
| Working - Saws well and works easily. |
| Assembly - Holds nails, screws and glue well. |
| Finishing - Finishes smoothly unless grain is severely interlocked. Paints well. |
| Uses |
| "Hard" Silverballi is used for general carpentry and boat-building (planking), suitable for both interior and exterior work in house construction, furniture and cabinet work, veneer and plywood. "Soft" Silverballi is used in general carpentry, interior work, light weight furniture and suitable for utility plywood. |
| Availability and Location |
| Occurs frequently in the Guyana forests. Regular supplies are available. |
