Dominican Republic

[Runge]

Hi Folks,

Another Caribbean country with many interesting timbers is the Dominican Republic. The timbers available from the Dominican Republic are similar to those found in Jamaica, Cuba and Puerto Rico. I believe it is currently the largest source of Guaiacum officinale (one of the five species of genuine Lignum Vitae).

The genus Brya has seven species with all present in only Cuba. Most famous of these is Brya ebenus. However, I believe Brya buxifolia is very similar. Brya buxifolia grows in the Dominican Republic. [ Brya buxifolia - Biodiversity Heritage Library ] Apparently, Brya buxifolia was sent to Europe many centuries ago:

Forest history: international studies on socio-economic and forest ecosystem ... - Mauro Agnoletti, Steven Anderson, IUFRO Task Force on Environmental Change - Google Books

Enclosed are pictures of Krugiodendron ferreum and Guaiacum officinale boards that I bought from the Dominican Republic.

Here are some documents on timbers from the Dominican Republic:

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http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...vAbwaoxTh3Gm-w

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...xFZ1Zd3FyqyN9w

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...8djHmfPhMZYOlQ

As always, your definitive reference for plants in the Caribbean is:

Flora of the West Indies / Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

This is my best guess as to the denser ones:

<style> <!-- BODY,DIV,TABLE,THEAD,TBODY,TFOOT,TR,TH,TD,P { font-family:"Arial"; font-size:x-small } --> </style> <table frame="VOID" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="1"><colgroup><col width="187"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17" width="187">Albizia procera</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Amyris elemifera</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Anadenanthera peregrina</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Bourreria succulenta</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Brya buxifolia</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Casuarina equisetifolia</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Coccoloba pubescens</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Colubrina glandulosa</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Conocarpus erectus</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Corymbia tessellaris</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Dodonaeae viscosa</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Eugenia ligustrina</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Eugenia pseudopsidium</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Exostema caribaeum</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Guaiacum officinale</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Guaiacum sanctum</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Gymnanthes lucida</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Haematoxylum campechianum </td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Hymenaea courbaril</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Hypelate trifoliata</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Krugiodendron ferreum</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Libidibia coriaria</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Maclura tinctoria </td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Magnolia hamori</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Magnolia pallescens</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Manilkara bidentata</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Pithecellobium dulce</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Prosopis juliflora</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Rhizophora mangle</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Senegalia angustifolia</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Sloanea amygdalina</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Sloanea berteroana</td></tr><tr><td align="LEFT" height="17">Ximenia americana</td></tr></tbody> </table>

[tipunch]

Hello Runge, I talked to you some years ago about lignum vitaes. I carry on my searches.
I just read this post but I can't find your pictures.

I also have a few pictures of a hardwood unknown to me and you could probably help. Please see them attached.
the pieces are approximately 15 x 5 cm. Someone told me it could be similar to cumaru. ??
I bought them online from a US seller, but I lost his contact and the invoice.

Thank youP1060781.JPGP1060782.JPGP1060783.JPGP1060784.JPG

[tipunch]

Me again,

I currently work on a french table dated approx last quarter of XVIIth century. Foot in lignum vitae (sanctum) and board in.... ? I attach some pictures, board up and down.
But the upper side is coated with oax so it is bright and pictures are poor. Downside is rough so it's difficult to see.... maybe you can help.
Board size is approximately 90 x 60 cms (3 boards)


Thank youP1060785.JPGP1060786.JPGP1060787.JPGP1060788.JPGP1060789.JPGP1060790.JPGP1060791.JPGP1060792.JPG

[Euge]

Interesting post Runge ...... lots of info here ) THANKS

Some of these species occur or originate in this part of the world I see. Interesting how they made it to the Carribean region .. through the Panama Canal?

Cheers Euge

[Runge]

Hi Euge,

Thank you!

Runge

[Runge]

Hi tipunch,

If I was in your shoes and I wanted to identify the wood species, here's the unconventional approach that I would take:

1) Where did the tree grow as best as you can tell?
2) What is the wood's approximate density? [ When the wood density reaches 1.20g/cc, there are a limited number of species that match that characteristic.]
3) What do historical documents say were the coveted wood species of the era and where was wood being sourced from in the 17th century.

From those pictures, I couldn't tell you what you have there. However, if you told me enough to narrow the species choices down, maybe I could help more. Incidentally, there are ~60,000 tree species on Earth.

These days, most G. sanctum is from the Mexican state of Campeche and the surrounding regions. Here's one of the remaining suppliers and here's the other. G. officinale is probably a better wood species and the wood from the Dominican Republic is probably nicer.

What are the largest furniture pieces that you have ever seen made entirely of Lignum Vitae?

I hope that helped.