Ipê / Iornwood

The sapwood is clearly distinct from the heartwood, and is yellowish-white or white. The heartwood is generally olive-brown, but can be darker, and has darker or lighter streaks. The pores frequently appear as fine yellow dots or lines; this is lapachol powder, which turns deep red in alkaline solutions. The grain is straight to very irregular, with a fine to medium texture and a low to medium lustre.

Properties:

Ipê is a strong, dense and heavy wood. It is rated high in all the strength categories except bending, in which hit is rated as moderate, and steam bending, which is rated as difficult. It is not easy to work with hand tools, is difficult to saw and requires a very low blade angle for planing. The wood has a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Surface preparation is required for gluing, and pre-boring for nailing. It stains, holds screws, sands and polishes well, provided the lapachol powder is removed first.

Seasoning:

Despite its high density, it dries without difficulty. There can be slight cupping, twisting and end checking during drying. There is only small movement in service.

Durability:

The heartwood is highly resistant to decay and termite attack, and resistant t other dry-wood insects, but can be affected by marine borer attack. It is highly impermeable for preservative treatment.

Typical Uses:

Cabinetmaking, turnery, tool handles, archery bows, walking sticks, factory and parquet flooring, truck bodies, naval architecture, bridge building, railway sleepers (railroad ties), marine construction, exterior construction, domestic exterior decking. The wood is also cut into decorative veneers.

Tabebuia serratifolia and T. ipê (Bignoniaceae)

Also called:

amapa prieta, bastard lignum vitae, bethabara, pau d'arco, ipê tabaco, wassiba, ébano verde, ironwood, Surinam greenheart, lapacho

Grows:

South American and CaribbeanTypical height: 65-86ft (20-25m)Trunk diameter: 2ft 6in (0.75m)

Weight per Board Foot:

6.3 lbs

Typical dry weight:

76lb/ft3 (1080kg/m3), but with wide variation

Specific Gravity:

1.08

Typical Height:

65-86ft (20-25m)

Trunk Diameter:

2ft 6in (0.75m)