Chico Zapote, Sapodilla, Zapote wood (Pouteria sapota). This relatively small tree, which grows up to about 10 - 20 metres and originates from southern Mexico and Central America, is now widespread throughout South America and Southeast Asia. It is mostly cultivated there because of its edible fruits (sapodilla) and its abundant white milk juice (chicle), which is used for the production of natural chewing gum. (Chiclet) The fine-pored wood is very dense and heavy, extremely resistant to water and weathering. In the ruins of Mayan temples were found completely intact beams of this wood. The colour of Zapote wood ranges from pink to red to dark reddish brown, often with a slight violet hue. The sapwood is light yellow, resin pockets are often found in Zapote. Wood is used in its growing areas for furniture, house building, floors, arches, instruments, woodturning and small handicrafts.
