Know Your Wood: Curupay

Curupay

Dark and distinctive, Curupay, or Cebil, is a great choice for a great many applications.

Common trade names: Cebil, Curupay

Genus: Anadenanthera colubrina (syn. Anadenanthera macrocarpa)

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 3630

Description: Curupay features deep brown to brown-red hues, characterized by prominent streaking, regularly following the grain patterns of the wood. The grain is highly interlocked and moderately figured, and Curupay has a fine to moderate texture.

Location: Latin America, specifically: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia

Common Aliases: Angico, Cambui-ferro, Cebil moro, Curupay-ata, Guarapiraca

Performance: Almost as hard as any wood available, this is a fine choice for exterior application. It is highly insect and rot resistant, and is a more or less generational solution for the designer or homeowner. It’s very distinctive, and if architects or designers are searching for a wood that will “pop,” this is one species that can do the job, and can stand the test of time.

Acclimation: Please, always properly store and set aside your lumber! We can’t stress enough the importance of just a little patience when receiving your order. For air drying, simply allow a half-inch or so among parallel planks stacked and spaced by level. It’s that easy, and in two or so weeks’ time, the lumber is ready for installation in your climate!

A Curupay tree, found commonly in South America.

Common Uses: Tool handles, docks, chemical containers, foundation pilings, furniture, ground contact, vehicle parts, wharf building, exterior and interior trim, rain screen siding, shiplap, turnings.

From: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Cebil, Curupay
Scientific Name: Anadenanthera colubrina (syn. Anadenanthera macrocarpa)
Distribution: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay
Tree Size: 65-80 ft (20-25 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 66 lbs/ft3 (1,060 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .86
Hardness: 3,630 lbf (16,150 N)
Rupture Strength: 28,010 lbf/in2 (193,180 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,639,000 lbf/in2 (18,200 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 14,100 lbf/in2 (97.2 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.7

Know Your Wood: Australian Buloke

Australian Buloke

The Australian Bull Oak tests out as the most difficult to penetrate by at least one measure.

Common trade names: buloke, bull-oak

Genus: Allocasuarina luehmannii

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 5060

Description: Possibly there exist limitations to what a woodworker will endure. I’ve been unable to locate any information about the use of this lumber as a lumber, but I’ve found that it’s vital to the continuing survival of a southeastern subspecies of the Austrialian Red-tailed Black Cockatoo for both food and lodging.

Location: Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales in Australia

Common Aliases: Australian buloke, Australian bull-oak

Performance: If you can get your hands on some of this, please let me know how it turns out for you. I believe it would be interesting to hear at least one opinion except that it’s the hardest wood that’s been tested with the Janka scale. There is mention from Australian government issues alluding to its strong performance as a fuel wood. It looks like it should be able to grow about anywhere, and it is unclear whether this wood is useful at all to the professional or hobbyist woodman.

Acclimation: It looks as though one would have to travel to Australia, and possibly purchase this wood on the black market. I have seen no place where it is being sold in the United States, and I don’t know how Australian jails might differ from American ones, should its trade be illegal. Again, your input could be helpful in this identification project.

Common Uses: Nesting and feeding of the Australian Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

From: florabank

Common Name(s): Allocasuarina luehmanni
Scientific Name: Allocasuarina luehmanni
Distribution: Queensland, Western New South Wales, Northwestern Victoria
Tree Size: 30-60 ft (10-20 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-.9 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: N/A
Basic Specific Gravity: N/A
Hardness: 5,060 lbs.f.
Rupture Strength: N/A
Elastic Strength: N/A
Crushing Strength: N/A
Shrinkage: N/A

Know Your Wood: Lignum Vitae

Lignum Vitae

Try not go get whacked with this bad boy. It will win the mallet v. bone competition.

Common trade names: Bera, guayacan, guaiacum, pockenholz (European),

Genus: Guaiacum officinale

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 4500

Description: Deep olive-brown to brown, sometimes approaching black. Has a uniquely layered grain pattern when held under close inspection. There are trade substitutes available to genuine Lignum Vitae, but the Argentine Lignum Vitae (Verawood) is generally lighter color than that of the wood specified herein.

Location: Caribbean and Central and South America, namely: Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Hispanola, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Venezuela, Puerto Rico. Farming operations are underway worldwide to ensure continued production of this valued species, though it is currently a highly endangered species.

Common Aliases: Bois de gayac, Bois sant, Legno benedetto, Legno nefritico, Legno santo, Wood of life

Performance: Please take very light passes when working Lignum Vitae. It’s about as hard and as durable as can be obtained against the plagues of rot and insect.

Acclimation: If you’re purchasing Lignum Vitae, you already know this, but for air drying, simply allow a half-inch or so among parallel planks stacked and spaced by level. It’s that easy, and in two or so weeks’ time, the lumber is ready for working in your climate!

Common Uses: Tools, bearings and bushings, pulleys, turnings, countless other turnings and various works requiring the most durable of woods.

From: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Lignum Vitae
Scientific Name: Guaiacum officinale, G. sanctum
Distribution: Central America and northern South America
Tree Size: 20-30 ft (6-10 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 84 lbs/ft3 (1,350 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: 1.02
Hardness: 4,500 lbf (20,020 N)
Rupture Strength: 17,760 lbf/in2 (122,490 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,304,000 lbf/in2 (15,890 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,400 lbf/in2 (78.6 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 8.0%, Volumetric: 13.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Know Your Wood: Sapele

Sapele

A substantial specimen, even in the jungles of the Congo.

Common trade names: Gold Coast cedar, Assie sapelli, Lifari, Sapele mahogany, Scented mahogany, West African Cedar

Genus: Entandrophragma cylindricum

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1480

Description: Red to purplish brown, medium to dark. Color will darken over time. Figuring is a prominent feature of Sapele, and there is a wide variety of patterns that occur in this species. Grain is generally wavy and interlocked. Moderately to very durable to rot. Some insects will get after Sapele.

Location: Central Africa, namely: Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Zaire, Uganda, Togo, Central African Republic, Gabon.

Common Aliases: Liboyo, Odupon, Penkwa, Tshimay noir, M’boyo

Performance: Tearout can occur more frequently than with most due to the interlocking nature of the grain. Furthermore, a chemical reaction resulting in staining may occur when put into direct contact with iron. Weird wood here.

Acclimation: For air drying, simply allow a half-inch or so among parallel planks stacked and spaced by level. It’s that easy, and in two or so weeks’ time, the lumber is ready for installation in your climate!

Common Uses: Musical instruments, furniture, boatbuilding, turnings, knick-knacks, veneers, plywood.

From: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Sapele
Scientific Name: Entandrophragma cylindricum
Distribution: Africa
Tree Size: 100-150 ft (30-45 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 45 lbs/ft3 (715 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .55
Hardness: 1,480 lbf (6,580 N)
Rupture Strength: 16,030 lbf/in2 (110,550 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,700,000 lbf/in2 (11,720 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 8,700 lbf/in2 (60.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 14.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Know Your Wood: Cuban Mahogany

Cuban Mahogany

Sunken Florida Mahogany. Quite rare, and wonderfully preserved with distinctive streaking.

Common trade names: Cuban Mahogany, West Indian Mahogany, Florida Mahogany

Genus: Swietenia mahogani

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1160

Description: Cuban Mahogany has been exported to Europe since the 1500s. The range cited below for Cuban Mahogany does not represent all areas of the earth it is now cultivated. Farms in Asia and Africa may also produce this lumber as a commercial product. It’s a rich brown wood with generally even grain, easier to work than most tropical outdoor hardwoods such as Ipe and Cumaru. Cuban Mahogany is still a generally strong lumber.

Location: Southern Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, St. Croix, Hispaniola, Virgin Islands.

Common Aliases: Acajou de Cuba, Acajou de Saint Domingue, etc. Bay mahogany, Jamaica Mahogany, etc.

Performance: Easy to work, easy to turn, yet strong and durable enough for a variety of uses. Machines well, and responds nicely to sanding. It’s hard to get a hold of this stuff, as not much is made commercially available, and what is becomes quite expensive!

Acclimation: Give your lumber a couple of weeks time to properly adjust to your local climactic conditions.

Common Uses: One of the historically preferred cabinetry woods. Over-exploitation of Cuban Mahogany has led directly to the restrictions placed upon it today. Cuban Mahogany has become so scarce that Honduran Mahogany is now marketed widely as Genuine Mahogany, as it is a quite close substitute, but they are in fact different. Uses include furniture building, cabinetry, musical instruments, turnings, boatbuilding, fuel wood.

From: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Cuban Mahogany, West Indies Mahogany
Scientific Name: Swietenia mahogani
Distribution: Southern Florida and the Caribbean
Tree Size: 65 ft (20 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1.0-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (670 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .56
Hardness: 1,160 lbf (5,150 N)
Rupture Strength: 13,520 lbf/in2 (93,230 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,385,000 lbf/in2 (9,550 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 7,090 lbf/in2 (48.9 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.7%, Tangential: 4.4%, Volumetric: 6.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.2

Know Your Wood: Jatoba

Jatoba

Common trade names: Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba

Genus: Hymenaea courbaril, Hymenaea resinifera

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2820

Description: Jatoba is referred to popularly as Brazilian Cherry, but it is in not related to the Cherry species commonly used in North America. It tends to darken with age. The grain is generally pretty plain, with hues ranging from light orange-brown to a deeper red-brown tone. Has a medium texture and its pores are relatively large.

Location: Mexico through South America

Common Aliases: Guapinol, Brazilian Cherry, Colorado, Jatoba trapuca, Jatoba verdadeiro, Simiri

Performance: Take care when planing Jatoba, as the interlocking grain patterns tnd to tear over time. It’s considered relatively difficult to work due to a combination of density and the grain pattern. Jatoba is very durable to rot resistance. Additionally, Jatoba features very high insect resistance, though there is evidence that marine borers can inflict harm on the wood. Regardless, it is stiff, strong, and hard, and is among the most durable of all marketable woods.

Acclimation: Please, always properly store and set aside your lumber! We can’t stress enough the importance of just a little patience when receiving your order. For air drying, simply allow a half-inch or so among parallel planks stacked and spaced by level. It’s that easy, and in two or so weeks’ time, the lumber is ready for installation in your climate!

Common Uses: Very commonly used domestically as an interior flooring. Other uses include furniture building, cabinetry, shipbuilding, turnings, and virtually any other woodworking project requiring a hard and durable species.

From: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry
Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril
Distribution: Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies
Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft3 (990 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .77
Hardness: 2,820 lbf (12,540 N)
Rupture Strength: 23,430 lbf/in2 (161,600 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,717,000 lbf/in2 (18,740 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,860 lbf/in2 (81.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.5%, Tangential: 8.5%, Volumetric: 12.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Product Applications: Fencing

Kansas City, MO--Ipe has been used in the U.S. for decking for some time and and its popularity as a durable ipe rain screen siding is increasing. This past year we have seen an increase in sales of ipe lumber as fencing material.

From New York City to Bakersfield, California, Specialty Lumber Solutions has provided high quality ipe decking & ipe lumber to folks who chose its rich appearance and durable qualities as a fence. There is not doubt that an ipe fence will last for decades. In fact, if the posts and cross members are pressure treated lumber, those portions will fail long before the ipe will be compromised. So if you are looking for a rock solid fence that is going to stand the test of time, consider using ipe or another tropical hardwood such as cumaru or tigerwood. If you want a fence that is going to last for over 50 years, consider using ipe 4x4 and 2x4 cross members. It won't be cheap ... but then again you will probably never have to replace it in your life time.

Specialty Lumber Solutions has special pricing for ipe shorts which are ideal for fencing in a vertical or horizontal application. Ipe shorts usually consist of 4', 5' 6' and 7' lengths of 1x4, 1x6, 5/4x4 and 5/4x6. These are priced at about 30 - 35% lower than our standard ipe decking tally of 8'-20'.

CCM

Know Your Wood: Cypress

Cypress

Distinctive knobs of the Cypress root system at low water.

Common trade names: Cypress, Southern Cypress, Sunken Cypress

Genus: Taxodium ascendens (Pond), Taxodium distichum (Bald), Taxodium mucronatum (Montezuma)

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 510

Description: Cypress is an affordable domestic alternatives for applications not requiring an extremely hard wood. Cypress is native to the Southeastern United States, and is marketable in many forms. Cypress is suitable for indoor or outdoor applications, and is a light and mellow brown, with sapwood lightening to a near white. Straight grained with a moderate texure, Cypress is very easy to work. Make sure you keep your tools very sharp to avoid ripping the grain. Very insect and rot resistant.

Location: Southeastern United States

Common Aliases: Cypress refers to any number of species found across several continents. For purposes of our marketable lumbers, Cypress is specifically linked to those found in the Southeastern US.

Performance: Cypress can be easily glued and worked. Keep tools sharp. For fine woodworking applications, cut with the grain to avoid unnecessary tearing. It’s a very good species for a number of uses.

Acclimation: Always stack and space your order upon its reception. This is true for every species we offer due to the local variations in climate.

Common Uses: Outdoor furniture, rain screen siding, shiplap, docks, boatbuilding, interior millworks.

Properties from: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Cypress, Baldcypress
Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum
Distribution: Southeastern United States
Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft3 (525 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .42
Hardness: 510 lbf (2,270 N)
Rupture Strength: 10,600 lbf/in2 (73,100 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,440,000 lbf/in2 (9,930 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 6,360 lbf/in2 (43.9 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.2%, Volumetric: 10.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Know Your Wood: Massaranduba

Massaranduba

Time on this rock is precious. We call it Massa.

Common trade names: Massaranduba, Massa, Brazilian Redwood

Genus: Malinkara bidentata

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 3190

Description: Massaranduba is a cost-effective, yet highly comparable alternative to slightly denser and more costly selections such as Ipe and Cumaru. Deep red hues accompany this delightful tropical hardwood, and the effective life of this species is over a couple of decades. The heartwood presentation may resemble that of purpleheart, though this is a different species. Straighter grains than most of the tropical hardwoods we offer, and the tree itself yields a natural latex (balata) from the sap, in addition to an edible fruit.

Location: Central and South America, Caribbean.

Common Aliases: Bullet wood, Balata, Bolivian Cherry, Ausubo, Macaranduba

Performance: Highly comparable to tropical hardwoods Ipe and Cumaru, but slightly easier to work.

Acclimation: As with any tropical hardwood, allow your material to adjust properly to its new environment fully stacked, spaced, and covered for a minimum of ten days. You will be glad you waited.

Common Uses: Golf balls (hist.), exterior decking, shiplap, rainscreen siding, whip handles, furnishings, patio furniture.

Properties from: The Wood Database

Bulletwood (Manilkara bidentata)
Common Name(s): Bulletwood, Massaranduba
Scientific Name: Manilkara bidentata
Distribution: Carribean, Central and South America
Tree Size: 100-150 ft (30-46 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 66 lbs/ft3 (1,060 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .85
Hardness: 3,190 lbf (14,190 N)
Rupture Strength: 29,690 lbf/in2 (204,760 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 3,332,000 lbf/in2 (22,980 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,380 lbf/in2 (92.3 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 6.3%, Tangential: 9.4%, Volumetric: 16.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

Know Your Wood: Tali

Tali

Been there, done that.

Common trade names: Tali

Genus: Erythophleum suaveolens

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2920

Description: Tali has a rich, warm hue across the red and brown color spectrum. It's very hard, grain typically tight, but may be irregular. Tali is a favorite of tropical hardwood enthusiasts virtually everywhere cricket is played. I've been watching lots of cricket lately. I'm hoping for a trickle-down effect relating to increased Tali demand. This is, after all, America.

Location: Tropical Africa, specifically Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia.

Common Aliases: Fillaea suaveolens, A-kon, Buirame, Etsa, Tsa, and a host of many others in several languages.

Performance: It’s quite stable, and for a tropical hardwood, it glues well. Painting and staining are a little more relatively difficult with Tali than with some other tropical hardwoods. Painting isn’t something one should be doing with Tali in the first place. Can be sawn, planed, or turned with similar ease to its American tropical counterparts.

Acclimation: Please remember, Tali came from a continent across the ocean, and the tree it became likely grew up in a little different climate than the one in which you live.

If the Ukranians come after me for using this picture, I suppose it will lead to an interesting story, but they aren't getting any money out of me right this moment.

Common Uses: Tali is much more common as an outdoor solution in Europe than America due to the proximity to the source of the end user. We are still able to bring you this wonderful African beauty at an affordable price. Much like any other tropical hardwoods, it thrives in outdoor applications, as is highly insect repellent. It is also among the least likely of woods to suffer a bout with mold or mildew.

From: Thewoodexplorer.com, Johnny W. Morlan, omoghardwood.com, apptimber.com

Common Name(s): Tali
Scientific Name: Erythrophleum ivorense or Erythrophleum suaveolens
Distribution: Tropical Africa
Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 61-67 lbs/ft3
Basic Specific Gravity: .78
Hardness: 2,920lbf (12,989 N)
Rupture Strength: 177 Mpa
Elastic Strength: 15,700 Mpa
Crushing Strength: 78 Mpa
Shrinkage: Radial: 4%, Tangential: 7%, Volumetric: 12%, T/R Ratio: 1.75

Know Your Wood: Garapa

Garapa

Blonde and beautiful. The fun might last a while longer with the wood, though.

Common trade names: Brazilian Ash, Amarealao, Marotoa, Muiratua, Grapia.

Genus: Apuleia leiocarpa

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 1650

Description: The lumber is derived from the genus of flowering legumes family, Fabaceae. Generally golden to fair brown in color, and its perceived hue can be quite affected by the effects of direct and indirect light. Interesting wood. Quite unique, however, and is much easier to work than Ipe or Cumaru.

Location: South America

Common Aliases: Brazilian Ash, grapia, Garrote, Muirajuba, Brazilian Oak. Garapa appears to have an identity crisis!

Performance: While easy to work, Garapa is a more or less generically scented wood that is fairly durable. Do not let anyone tell you Garapa is impervious to insects, because it isn’t. Nevertheless, it is a well above-average performing wood.

Acclimation: Garapa for an outdoor application should be kept on site, stacked and covered for one to three weeks prior to installation. Local climactic variations require a longer window.

Common Uses: Decks and docks, boats, exterior siding, and many other applications. We recommend to avoid direct ground contact with Garapa. Kiln dried Garapa will produce a sharp interior flooring, but remember that acclimation also applies to indoor installation projects!

From: The Wood Database

Garapa (Apuleia leiocarpa)
Common Name(s): Garapa
Scientific Name: Apuleia leiocarpa
Distribution: South America
Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 52 lbs/ft3 (835 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .66
Hardness: 1,650 lbf (7,320 N)
Rupture Strength: 17,020 lbf/in2 (117,340 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,163,000 lbf/in2 (14,920 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 9,140 lbf/in2 (63.0 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.2%, Tangential: 7.5%, Volumetric: 11.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.8

Know Your Wood: Tigerwood

Tigerwood

This little stair jack used to bug me a great deal, but it's really grown on me over time.

Common trade names: Zebrawood, Tigerwood, Brazilian Tigerwood, Goncalo Alves

Genus: Astronium fraxinifolium, Astronium graveolens

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 2250

Description: Known for its distinctively bold grain patterns and varied coloring, Goncalo Alves (American Tigerwood) features a moderate reddish/brown coloring highlighted by deep brown and black streaks in the grain pattern. Its strength lies somewhere in the neighborhood of Jatoba, and for comparative purposes, the strengths of North American Maple and Red Oak are 1450 and 1290 respecively. Tigerwood is still a very strong material. Takes finish and works relatively well, considering it’s stiffness.

Location: Mexico through South America

Common Aliases: Brazilian tigerwood, Jobillo (among turners preferring higher grades of Goncalo Alves)

Performance: It’s quite moisture-resistent, it’s hard to glue, it’s hard (easy in comparison to Ipe or Cumaru) to cut. Again, don’t take an air gun to this wood. I’ve mentioned this occasionally with other species, but as long as I’m fielding phone calls about this topic, please don’t attempt to use compressed tools with this species if someone else is in the room. If you’re looking to make a statement on a design project, Brazilian Tigerwood is hard to beat. It’s priced a little more moderately than our top sellers, and will yield many effective years of life. weather or pest. Do not use compressed air tools without wearing goggles, gloves, thick clothing, in an otherwise empty room, as the fasteners will be airborne and elsewhere once you attempt to nail this material. Pre-drill, then screw, and it holds remarkably well. Hidden fastening systems are a great alternative to face fastening for a cleaner presentation.

Acclimation: Please, always properly store and set aside your lumber! We can’t stress enough the importance of just a little patience when receiving your order. For air drying, simply allow a half-inch or so among parallel planks stacked and spaced by level. It’s that easy, and in two or so weeks’ time, the lumber is ready for installation in your climate!

Common Uses: I’ve seen some rain screen siding in Tigerwood that made a sharp architectural statement. We’ve sold Tigerwood predominantly for decks and shiplap cladding applications to this point, but its uses as a furniture lumber are more than adequate for the experienced woodworker. Once again, remember to purchase your wood kiln dried for interior applications only, if at all possible. For interior kiln dried lumber, uses include flooring, cabinetry, turnings, and Goncalo Alves can make for striking imagery in the finished product.

From: The Wood Database

Goncalo Alves (Astronium graveolens)
Common Name(s): Goncalo Alves, Tigerwood, Jobillo
Scientific Name: Astronium graveolens (syn. A. fraxinifolium)
Distribution: From Mexico southward to Brazil
Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft3 (995 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .80
Hardness: 2,250 lbf (10,000 N)
Rupture Strength: 18,400 lbf/in2 (126,920 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,404,000 lbf/in2 (16,580 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 10,710 lbf/in2 (73.9 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 10.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Know Your Wood: Cumaru

Cumaru

More reminiscing...

Common trade names: Brazilian Teak, Tonka, Southern Chestnut

Genus: Dipteryx odorata

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 3540

Description: Cumaru lumber is produced from the same plant that yields Tonka Beans, a vanilla substitute, perfume, and tobacco products. The FDA recommends today one not eat the product. Heartwood ranges from medium to dark brown, and various hues of red and purple. Cumaru tends to lighten with U/V exposure.

Location: Native to the Orinoco region of Northern South America

Common Aliases: Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean.

Performance: It’s oily, it’s hard to glue, and the grain should be pretty well aligned to have success with fine woodworking using Cumaru. A milled product should be fine for your exterior applications, but please remember this wood is very nearly as dense as Ipe, and Cumaru dulls blades and breaks bits at the same rate as Ipe.

Acclimation: Cumaru for an outdoor application should be kept on site, stacked and covered for 10-21 days prior to installation. Generally speaking, the wood will acclimate properly on the low end of this scale, but local climactic variations require a longer window.

Common Uses: Virtually any project requiring a resilient and durable outdoor project. From decks to docks, to railroad ties or pilings, Cumaru can perform as well as almost any other organic product. Furnishings, floors, turnings, and cabinetry are other common uses for interior applications.

From: The Wood Database

Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)
Common Name(s): Cumaru, Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean
Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata
Distribution: Northern South America
Tree Size: 130-160 ft (40-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft3 (1,095 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .86
Hardness: 3,540 lbf (15,750 N)
Rupture Strength: 24,840 lbf/in2 (171,280 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 3,020,000 lbf/in2 (20,830 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,460 lbf/in2 (92.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

Know Your Wood: Ipe

Ipe

A nice reminder of our 2011 website...

Common trade names: Brazilian Walnut and Ipe refer to several species of the Genus Tabebuia.

Genus: Tabebuia spp.

Janka Hardness (pounds-force): 3680

Description: Ipe is the hardest easily available tropical hardwood we offer. Its hues are generally an olive-brown, and the density of the lumber is quite impressive. Be prepared, as the grain pattern can be all over the place with this species. It’s as hard and durable as anything you’ll find.

Location: Central and South America

Common Aliases: Ironwood©, Pau d’Arco, Yellow Poui, Betharbara

Performance: It’s oily, it’s hard to glue, it’s hard to cut, and it will break every bit in your set. That said, once installed it’s awfully hard to beat. Many designers, builders, and homeowners regard this as an investment grade wood due to its ability to resist decay by weather or pest. Do not use compressed air tools without wearing goggles, gloves, thick clothing, in an otherwise empty room, as the fasteners will be airborne and elsewhere once you attempt to nail this material. Pre-drill, then screw, and it holds remarkably well. Hidden fastening systems were made for lumbers such as Ipe and Cumaru. Use air dried Ipe for outdoor projects, kiln dried for your indoor flooring and cabinetry applications.

Acclimation: Ipe for an outdoor application should be kept on site, stacked and covered for 10-21 days prior to installation. Generally speaking, Ipe will acclimate properly on the low end of this scale, but local climactic variations require a longer window.

Common Uses: Ipe is as hard as they come, and has been proven to withstand the rigors of nature. Ipe is our top selling wood, and is used in rainscreen siding applications, shiplaps, decks, docks, and more. For interior applications, flooring, cabinetry, turnings, and virtually any other project requiring a strong and durable lumber.

Specs below from: The Wood Database

Common Name(s): Ipe, Brazilian Walnut
Scientific Name: Tabebuia spp. (Tabebuiaguayacan, T. serratifolia, etc.)
Distribution: Tropical Americas (Central and South America)
Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 73 lbs/ft3 (1,175 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .91
Hardness: 3,680 lbf (16,370 N)
Rupture Strength: 26,190 lbf/in2 (180,600 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 3,167,000 lbf/in2 (21,840 MPa)