Uses 
The wood is used locally for common lumber for interior construction and car- 
pentry and in making dugout canoes, boxes and crates, and veneers and ply- 
wood. In Mexico, it is sometimes used for telegraph poles. It is considered 
too light and soft to withstand marring for use as a preferred cabinet wood. 
It rates as a cheap substitute for Spanish cedar ( Cedrela ). Since possumwood 
takes glue well, it could probably be used for cores tock, utility and face 
veneer, and millwork. 
Commercial Aspects 
An effort to introduce this wood into the American market under the name 
"Rakuda" was made by W. L, Kann, Pittsburgh, Pa., beginning about 1923 (17)« 
Anatomical Structure (19) 
Growth rings are indistinct to distinct. 
Pores vary from small to rather large in different specimens and are not 
very numerous. Vessel ends have simple perforations. 
Tyloses are fairly abundant, and light-colored gum deposits are common. 
Rays are uniseriate or locally biseriate, mostly less than 20 cells high, and 
nearly homogeneous. 
Ripple marks are generally absent. 
Rept. No. R1902 -6- 
