I§2 
[July, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
WEST INDIAN TIMBERS. 
(By John T. Rea, F.S.I., Surveyor , War Department.) 
The following information has been compiled by the author as the result of four years’ 
residence in the island of St. Lucia, West Indies. Much is original, but a great portion has 
necessarily been obtained from the brief and scattered notices of other writers. It is believed, 
however, that this is the only attempt that has been made to prepare anything like a full 
summary of West Indian timbers. Descriptions of a hundred of the more important varieties 
are here given, in the hope that many of these valuable woods may receive fuller recognition 
of their value, by consumers in the United Kingdom, than has hitherto been the case. It is 
only from the large forests of British Honduras and British Guiana, which are on the main- 
land, that copious supplies of cheap building timber can be obtained. There is, howxver, 
a plentiful supply of good stuff in the West Indian Islands, two-thirds of most of them 
being still in virgin bush and forest. For example, the Layou and Sara Flats, or Crown 
Lands of Dominica, have an area of 40 square miles, and contain a mine of wealth in timber ; 
while in Trinidad there are at least 300,000 acres of forest land. Combined, the West Indies 
represent an area of ioo,ooo square miles. There are some very large trees, but, generally 
speaking, they are of moderate size, and only comparatively small scantlings can be cut. Some 
of the woods are useful for building and engineering works, but they are suitable principally 
for furniture, panelling, cabinet, and other fancy work. The immense variety of small articles 
such as knife-handles, knobs, buttons, etc,, which are now manufactured from choice grained 
woods, opens a ready market to many West Indian timbers, the beauty and appearance of 
which cannot be surpassed. Gum- and resin-yielding trees abound ; and commercially 
valuable fibres may be stripped from quite a number of them. The barks, leaves, and berries 
of others furnish well-known drugs, dyes, and spices. The economic uses are therefore very 
great, so that these colonies afford a fair field to the enterprising capitalist. Owing to the 
.fact that all the best timber is in the inland forests, with few convenient rivers for floating it 
down, and also owing to the defective character of these means of communication, and the 
absence of sawmills and machinery for their treatment, the native woods have until lately 
been only available in small quantities. Circular and other rapid saws have recently been 
added to the plant of most of the Public Works yards, so that some of these disabilities are 
being remedied. 
The subject of Forest Conservancy has been considered many times by governors, 
colonial engineers, surveyors, wardens, botanists, and by officers of the Crown Lands, but 
a continuous definite policy does not appear to have been ever decided upon. This is to be 
regretted, as much destruction has occurred through fires, chiefly caused by wanton squatters. 
A forest of West Indian cedar would at the present time be a source of wealth to any man who 
was lucky enough to possess it. The same may be said of mahogany and other native woods. 
Yet it is but on rare occasions that trees are planted, and then only in twos and threes in some 
garden. This is because the owner of the land fears he shall never see the benefit, on account 
of the length of time they take to grow. Such reasoning, however, is very short-sighted. A 
good plantation of cedar or mahogany will, within ten years, enhance the value of lands by 50 
or 60 percent., if tended with a modicum of care, and the State should take steps to give 
practical illustration of this on lands suited to the purpose, at the hands of properly instructed 
officers. 
Seasoning. — Timber may be cut down at any time of the year, but it is preferable to 
do so during the dry season, and before the wet months commence (on the same principle as 
felling at home in the winter, when the sap is down), as the trees then become extra sappy 
with the absorption of the moisture. Native wood-cutters have an idea — which may be 
laughed at, but is believed locally to be right — that if the trees are not felled during certain 
phases of the moon, the timber is almost certain to be attacked by woodworms or borers, and 
they prefer, generally, the months of February and March for hewing. Practically this has 
been found to be correct, and the period between three days after new moon and three days 
before full moon is the time selected. 
A very important precaution adopted in Australia, which might be applied to the woods 
of other colonies, is that of “ring-barking ” (or severing the bark right round the stem down 
to the wood) all trees at least three months before they are felled, or, as it might be called, 
“ killing them standing.” Indeed this practice is of high antiquity, and is mentioned by 
Vitruvius. The tree, in its perpendicular position, is thus more rapidly drained of its sap and 
juices when once the bark is cut through to the wood, so that they descend by the natural 
channels, instead of slowly percolating into the woody tissues, and rotting the log when left 
in a horizontal position. The trees should be allowed to stand a twelvemonth after the 
operation, which not only increases the density and strength of the timber, but at the same 
time seasons it. 
Trees should be squared and cut up immediately after felling, and the wood should not 
be worked for six months, or even a year, during which period it ought to be stacked, and 
well covered, in sheds, with a free circulation of air round the several pieces, otherwise it 
will warp and twist when used. Owing to the readiness with which it is attacked by ants, 
all wood in store, especially unwrought spars, should be stowed away so as to admit of easy 
and frequent inspection. This liability to attack is greatly increased if the bark be left on. 
Attacks of Ants, Worms, etc. — W ith the exception of some of the bitter and hard 
woods, most of the timber is liable to the attacks of “ white ants,” commonly called wood- 
lice, and this is especially the case with white pine and white oak. Mr J. H. Hart, F.L.S., 
Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, declares that these insects do not 
attack sound wood , but only that which has first been permeated by the mycelium of a fungus, 
which has probably found entrance to its tissues at some point of injury, as, for example, at 
any spot which is rendered damp by leakage from the roof or other cause. The insects thus 
follow the attack of the fungi, and as they eat away the heart, an apparently healthy piece 
ultimately becomes nothing but a mere shell, which suddenly collapses without warning. 
The writer has known beams and legs of tables insidiously hollowed out in this manner, there 
being no visible indication outside. The true ants which attack timber march in columns 
during daylight, and not in covered runs as do the termites. The former, as a rule, main- 
tain their nest, made of clay, in some neighbouring tree, in a position sheltered from rain, and 
often travel to a considerable distance from the place where they are working at the 
destruction of timber. 
To escape their depredations the builder must, therefore, first of all prevent the attack of 
the fungus by insisting upon conditions ensuring perfect ventilation and dryness, which are 
well known to be antagonistic to the growth of this form of vegetable life. One cure is said 
to be a treatment with calomel, or with molasses and arsenic, but the pests often reappear. 
Kerosene is effective while its smell remains. Creosoting with bone oil is said to be the 
best preservative against white ants, but on account of its odour it is only adapted for out- 
door work, and it is difficult to apply to dense tropical timbers. The appearance of the ants 
should be watched for, their “ traces,” or little mud tunnels, followed up, and the whole 
nest destroyed. The only permanent antidote is to employ some of the bitter and hard 
woods which these insects avoid, such as quassia, or bitter ash. Notwithstanding the sup- 
posed immunity of greenheart, it is found in St. Lucia to be subject, in salt water, to attacks 
from worms, probably the teredo navalis , or ship-worm. 
CLASSIFICATION. — It is very difficult to determine the classification of West Indian trees, 
as the names of perhaps the same tree vary in different islands, while the variations of patois- 
titles also lead to much confusion. In many instances it is also difficult to substitute English 
equivalents for the patois, or corrupt French or Spanish names, while the scientific titles of 
other trees have not yet been determined. It is thought, however, that the following 
nomenclature will be generally accepted. 
Principal Timbers of the West Indies. 
1. Acoma ( Mimusops , Sp.J. Also called Mastic. Found in most of the islands. A 
large timber tree, with wood hard, dense, and durable, and of a light brownish colour. 
Excellent for using in the ground, as in posts, where it will last without protection for years. It 
is likewise fit for cabinet work, and for house building generally. Native workmen some- 
times make their planes of acoma. Weight, 66 lb. per foot cube. 
2. Ad EG ON ( Ardisia, Sp.J. Grows in Dominica. A large tree, 4 or 5 feet in 
diameter, employed for all purposes, such as boards, planks, mill work, house work, 
shipbuilding, shingles, etc. Lasts well in water. 
3. Almond, or Amandier ( Terminalia catappa ). Found in most of the islands. 
From its appearance the wood is styled “native mahogany” in St. Lucia, although no real 
mahogany grows in that island. It possesses similar characteristics, attains a large size, and 
is used for furniture and housework. There are two sorts of the wood, light brown and dark 
brown, the latter being reddish and streaky. Weight, 56 lb. per foot cube. There is another 
kind of wood spoken of by tire natives as Mahault-Garnier, and likewise known by them as 
“ mahogany.” 
4. Angelin ( Aniira inermis). Grows in St. Lucia and several other islands. A 
large tree, 40 to 50 feet high, and 3 to 5 feet in diameter, producing fine timber when full 
grown. Sometimes referred to as the Cabbage tree. There are two kinds, red and white. 
It is a strong hardy wood, lasting well in water, and is therefore suitable for piles, bridges, 
etc., as well as for framing houses, mill rollers and naves of wheels. It has been used for 
treads of step; in St. Lucia. The grain is brown and streaky, and very like cocoanut. 
Weight, 58 lb. per foot cube. The bark, known in England as “ worm-bark” or “bastard- 
cabbage bark,” is a narcotic drug. 
5. Annatto, or Roucou (Bixa orellana). Found in most of the islands. A low 
shrubby tree, rising to 12 feet high on the banks of rivers, from the prepared seeds of which 
the celebrated reddish-yellow annatto dye is extracted. The seeds and leaves are likewise 
employed in medicine as an astringent and febrifuge. The stem has fibres, which in 
Jamaica are converted into ropes. The wood is soft, and the friction of two pieces will 
produce fire. 
6. Aquatapana ( Watercaire). Found in Trinidad. The tree is from iS inches to 
3 feet in diameter, and of very straight growth. The wood is curious, and susceptible of a 
high polish. It is useful and durable, and said to last longest under ground. Its local 
value is about fS per ton. 
7. Aramata. Grows in the Itoori-bisci creek, Essequebo river, British Guiana. 
This is a comparatively common tree throughout the colony, and flourishes on sandy soil. 
The wood is hard and dark-coloured, being used for boat-building, house-framing, and 
sometimes for cabinet work. Its average height is about So feet, and it can be had to square 
12 inches, free of sap. A decoction of the bark is used by the Indians to wash their dogs 
to destroy vermin. 
8. Arrisouroo, from the upper Essequebo river, British Guiana, growing plentifully in 
low situations near the river. The average height is 80 feet, and it will square 14 inches free 
of sap. The wood is of a dark yellow colour, and has a very bitter taste. It lasts long when 
exposed to the weather, and is not attacked by worms ; for these reasons it 'is well adapted 
for planking vessels, etc. A decoction of the bark is used for dressing ulcers, and the sap as 
a remedy for ringworm, 
9. Balata ( Mimusops globosa). Named Bullet tree, or Burueh, in British Guiana ; also 
called Bully wood. This is a lofty tree found in most of the islands, and generally on hills 
in the forests. The trunk sometimes attains a diameter of 7 feet, and squared logs can be 
obtained 40 feet long. It grows plentifully in Berbice, where it may be found 5 feet in 
diameter and 100 feet high, yielding logs 42 inches square free of sap. There are three 
varieties of balata — red, white and black ; all three are very good, but the red is the best. 
The wood is dense, hard, and heavy, having a sour smell when freshly cut ; it is most 
durable when free of sap, and is suitable for most outside work, harbour work, and all 
carpenLry and joinery, but it warps much in seasoning and cracks when exposed to the sun. 
It is used for telegraph posts, for mill rollers and beams in old sugar factories, and for skittle 
alley platforms, fieldwork, bridging, spars, etc. ; it also produces good shingles, and 
native workmen frequently make their planes of it. During the time that windmills were 
used in British Guiana the bullet tree was considered to produce the best wood for the arms 
of the mill. Wood-ants will not attack balata, except the bark and sap, and when stored 
the former should be stripped off as a safeguard. Weight 70 lb. per foot cube. Crushing 
strength, 477 tons per square inch. Modulus of rupture (tested by breaking spars of 6 inch 
diameter) = 16,000 lb. per square inch. There is good and bad balata wood (as with other 
timbers), and natives will endeavour to impose inferior stuff, which is also the case with other 
woods. “ Balata chien,” which resembles the black balata and is somewhat harder, is totally 
worthless. The balata is one of the most important trees of the West Indies, and in Dutch 
Guiana special laws have been made to control the industry. It yields the “ gum-balata,” 
which is intermediate in its properties between caoutchouc and gutta percha. Its fruit is 
very sweet, and tastes like the sapodilla, being about the size of a large English cherry. 
Many of the trees are cut down while the fruit is ripe. From the seeds oil can be 
extracted. The bark of the bullet tree is used medicinally by the Indians, and occasionally 
as an emetic. The value of the wood on the spot is about ^10 per ton. 
10. Bamboo, which prefers wet lands, grows in clumps of clustering hollow stems, with 
rings, the bright green colour of which changes to yellow after cutting down. There are two 
sorts, male and female. The male bamboo ( Dendrocalanus strict us ) has almost a solid stem, 
with only a very small central perforation, and is much rarer than the female or common 
bamboo. It is practically a cane, and may be applied to the same services. The fibre can 
be made into paper, and into a valuable packing for the wheel boxes of railway carriages. 
The female bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris ) has a hollow stem, and reaches to three or four times 
the size of the male, with a hole 4 to 6 inches diameter. The height is often as much as 30 
feet. It is useful for light framework, and for planting on earth slopes to prevent slipping ; 
and is also serviceable for subsoil drainage, if the internal divisions are pierced. Split 
bamboos are used on native huts for eaves-gutters, and have also been set in frames and 
converted into shutter screens for verandahs. 
11. Bartaballi ( Achras mammosa), from the Moraballi creek, Essequebo river, 
British Guiana. This tree grows on sandy and clay soils, and is found plentifully up the 
Essequebo and Demerara rivers ; it averages a height of 90 feet, and can be had to square 
20 inches free of sap. The wood is close grained, light, of a pale brown colour, and is useful for 
making articles of furniture, and for partition boards, doors, etc. The tree produces a milky 
juice somewhat similar to “gum-balata,” but of a sticky nature. The fruit is good-eating, 
