Brazilian Walnut / Ipe / Lapacho

Scientific Name:
Canella imbuia / Tabebuia / Tabebuia serratifolia

Other Names and Species:
Amapa
Brazilian Walnut
Cortez
Flor Amarillo
Greenheart
Green Ironwood
Guayacan Polvillo
Hakai
Ipe
Ironwood
Madera Negra
Polvillo
Tabebuia
Tahuari

Primarily Brazil and almost of tropical America, with smaller quantities from the Lesser Antilles islands has 3 species with the same Janka hardness and a particularly excellent choice for industrial-application flooring as a result of its hardness, durability, and shock resistant properties.

The tree can grow to 140 to 150 ft tall with trunk diameters of 6 ft. Frequently to heights of100 ft and diameters of 2 to 3 ft. Trunks are clear to 60 ft and more, with or without buttresses. Ipé heartwood usually shows an olive brown coloring to near black that from time to time might have darker or lighter striping, contrasting well against a white or yellow appearing sapwood. This wood has an oily visual aspect, and variable grain patterns from uniform and straight, to very irregular.

Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.85 to 0.97; air- dry density 66 to 75 pcf.

Use:
Ipe’s more popular uses include functions that utilize the durability of such a strong wood. Railroad ties, harbor construction, outdoor decking, flooring, dockwork, veneer surfacing, molding and heavy construction are all natural choices for a wood as hard as cement.

General Characteristics:
Famed for its impressive durability, Ipe’s possesses one of the highest rankings for hardwood. As well simple hardness, structurally, this wood is a brilliant choice for resistance to moisture as well as pests. It is important, however, to properly and extensively dry Ipe in a kiln to prevent shrinking during the installation process.

Working Properties:
Because of the hardness of this wood, it is actually very difficult to work so far as machining is concerned. Lapacho has a startling tendency to dull bladed tools and a fierce resistance to being nailed, requiring pre-drilling of holes to properly set nails.

Drying and Shrinkage:
Generally reported to air-dry rapidly with only slight checking and warping. Kiln schedule T3-C1 is suggested for 4/4 stock. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 6.6%; tangential 8.0%; volumetric 13.2%. Movement after manufacture is rated as small.

Durability:
Heartwood is very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites; not resistant to marine borers. T. guayacan however, is reported to have good resistance in Panama waters.

Index you maybe interesting in reading: Janka Hardness Hardwood Floor Scale

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