Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)
Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia spp.) • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight but often interlocked or wavy. The texture is fine to medium with a uniform appearance and low natural luster. The sample shows a characteristic fine-textured surface with slight interlocking grain visible.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a reddish brown, sometimes with greenish or yellowish hues, or darker brown/black stripes. The color darkens significantly when wet or oiled. Sapwood is a distinct yellowish-gray. It has a moderate natural luster that can be polished.
Hardness Rating
3,684 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Exceptional resistance to rot, termites, and wood-boring insects. It is one of the most durable timbers in the world, often rated for 25+ years of ground contact.
Common Uses
Outdoor decking, boardwalks, dock pilings, bridge construction, heavy-duty flooring, tool handles, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Tropical America (Central and South America); primarily Brazil.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $25.00 per board foot for high-grade dimensional lumber; decking is often sold by linear foot.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut (within the last 5-10 years), appearing as a mill-cut offcut with visible machine marks and minimal oxidation darkening that occurs over decades.
Sustainability Status
Listed in CITES Appendix II as of 2024. Classified as Vulnerable by some regional IUCN assessments due to over-harvesting; FSC certification is recommended.
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme density and hardness. It has a high blunting effect on cutters. The wood contains lapachol compounds which can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues; pre-drilling is mandatory for fasteners.
Notable Features
Extremely heavy (sinks in water); has the same fire rating as concrete and steel (Class A); contains lapachol (a yellow powder visible in the pores) which turns deep red when exposed to alkaline substances.
Finish Recommendations
Best left unfinished to weather to a silver-grey, or treated with specialized penetrating oils (like penofin) designed for dense exotic hardwoods. Does not take surface films or stains well due to natural oils and density.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the dark olive-brown color, extremely dense grain structure, and rough-cut edge character is consistent with Ipe decking offcuts common in woodworking shops.