Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)
Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia spp.) • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked and wavy grain with a very fine, uniform texture. The end grain shows small to medium pores in a diffuse-porous arrangement, often filled with yellow lapachol deposits.
Color Description
Heartwood is a deep olive-brown to dark blackish-brown, sometimes with reddish or greenish streaks. Sapwood is a contrasting yellowish-white. It tends to darken or gray out significantly with UV exposure if left untreated.
Hardness Rating
3,510 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot, decay, and insect attack (including termites). It is often rated for 25+ years in ground contact.
Common Uses
Exterior decking, boardwalks, docks, heavy construction, flooring, tool handles, and exterior furniture.
Geographic Origin
Tropical South and Central America (primarily Brazil).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on thickness and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Post-production sample; likely freshly milled or stored indoors based on the lack of silvering and sharp mechanical cut marks on the end grain.
Sustainability Status
Listed in CITES Appendix II as of late 2022 (effective 2024); classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. FSC certification is highly recommended to ensure legal logging.
Workability
Difficult due to extreme density and hardness. It has a high blunting effect on steel cutters; carbide tooling is essential. Pre-drilling is required for any fasteners.
Notable Features
Extremely heavy (sinks in water); contains lapachol, a yellow powder that can cause skin irritation/dermatitis in sensitive individuals; remarkably fire-resistant (Class A rating).
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil finishes specifically formulated for tropical hardwoods (e.g., Ipe Oil) are best. Film-forming finishes like polyurethane are prone to peeling due to natural oils.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of chocolate-brown color, extreme density visible in the tight grain, and the characteristic yellow speckling (lapachol) in the pores is diagnostic for Ipe.