Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)
Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia spp.) · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Central and South America (principally Brazil and Bolivia)
- Hardness
- 3,684 lbf (Extremely Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Exceptional natural resistance to decay, rot, fungal attack, and wood-boring insects, including termites.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a fine, coarse, and dense uniform texture, showing typical quarter-sawn to rift-sawn fibrous orientation.
Color & Appearance
Dark reddish-brown to olive-brown heartwood with fine pale yellow-greenish deposits (lapachol powder) visible within the pore vessel lines. Darkens slightly with exposure to sunlight.
Hardness (Janka)
3,684 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Exceptional natural resistance to decay, rot, fungal attack, and wood-boring insects, including termites.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $8.00 to $14.00 per board foot (varies depending on board dimensions and market conditions)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Matured timber sample, showing surface weathering and drying micro-checking typical of air-dried exterior timberaged several years.
- Sustainability Status
- Listed on CITES Appendix II (effective late 2024); wild harvesting faces scrutiny, FSC-certified or sustainably managed plantation sources are strongly recommended.
Common Uses
Outdoor decking, boardwalks, heavy marine construction, docks, outdoor furniture, siding, and heavy-duty industrial flooring.
Geographic Origin
Central and South America (principally Brazil and Bolivia)
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme density and hardness; rapidly dulls cutting edges. Pre-drilling required for fasteners. Glues moderately well with proper surface preparation to clear natural oils.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil finishes specifically designed for dense hardwoods (e.g., ipé oil). Unfinished wood naturally weathers to a silvery-grey patina over time.
Notable Features
Extremely dense and heavy (sinks in water); highly fire-resistant (Class A fire rating comparable to concrete/steel); contains lapachol yellow powder within pores which can act as a skin/respiratory sensitizer.
