Family Name for Ipe Lumber: Tabebuia spp. of family Bignoniaceae Common Names: Ipe wood is known by many names: Ipe Brazil, Amapa, Cortex, Guayacan, Flor Amarillo, Greenheart, Madera
Negra, Tahuari, Lapacho Negro. It has a number of trade names: Ironwood™, Pau Lope™ & Brazilian
Walnut. These are commercial names given to Ipe lumber by large Brazilian exporters.
Some of these trade names for Ipe lumber, include
not only Ipe wood, but also a number of other similar species like Cumaru (Dipterix odorata) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata).
"Ipe lumber" can be used in somewhat of a more generic fashion, rather then a singular biological description.
Ipe wood is often clustered with other woods that share similar characteristics.
Uses:
Ipe is prized for quality furniture and decorative
veneers, and because of its' strength and durability, is used in boardwalks, decking, porch floors, tool handles, turnery,
industrial flooring, and textile mill items to name a few.
Distribution: Ipe wood (or bois ipe for our french clientele) typically
grows in tropical South-central America, in a wide variety of sites, in marshes and riverbanks as well as ridge tops. Ipe
trees may grow to 140 feet in height with trunk diameter of up to 6'. It is one of the tallest trees of the Amazon
region.
Wood: Ipe Heartwood is typically reddish brown, sometimes with a greenish tinge,
often with lighter or darker striping.Sapwood is much lighter white or yellow usually removed at the mill,
although small strips along the edge can be present. Ipe hardwood has no distinctive odor or taste. Ipe wood products contains no added harmful chemicals,
so it can be used near water without potential contamination.
Weight: specific
gravity of .85 to .97. Air dry density 66-75 per cu.ft.
Durability: Heartwood
is very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites, it has the durability and strength of teak, for
a lot less money.The US Department of Agriculture and Forestry rates Ipé as "Very resistant
to attack by decay, fungi and termites."
Fire Rating: a "Class A" fire rating, the same rating given to concrete
& steel.
Preservatives:
Finishes applied on an annual
basis can be used to hold Ipe's original color. If it has been allowed to gray, Ipe can regain most of its’
original appearance with a treatment of Penofin.
