Cumaru

Cumaru

Durability:

The strength of the green wood closely resembles that of greenheart, except in tension across the grain and side hardness, in which cumaru is superior. Air dried wood is much stronger than green wood except for an appreciable reduction in cleavage resistance and tensile strength across the grain. In general it is superior to white oak in all properties except cleavage resistance.

Strength Class = D60;
Weight per m3 12% m.c. = 1070 Kg;
Modulus of elasticity 12% m.c. = 26610 N/mm2;
Durability = Very Durable.

Mechanical Properties:

Difficult - Cumaru is a heavy, hard, and tough wood which makes it rather difficult to work, but with sharp tools it saws and bores cleanly, and when severely interlocked grain is absent, planes and finishes to a smooth surface. It takes a high polish, but glues poorly.

Seasoning:

Considering its density, the wood is relatively easy to dry. It tends to surface check if dried rapidly, but moderate to slow drying rates should reduce this tendency. Thicker sections are at risk from casehardening.

Uses:

  • Flooring
  • Cabinetry
  • Furniture
  • Heavy construction
  • Docks
  • Railroad ties
  • Bearings
  • Handles and other turned objects
  • Bridge construction
  • Cladding
  • Woodturning
  • Heavy structural use and decking
Get in Touch

Description

The heartwood is reddish-brown or purplish-brown, with light yellowish-brown or purplish streaks when freshly cut, turning to a variegated reddish and yellowish-brown after drying, but on exposure to light assuming a uniform yellowish-brown or light brown colour. The sapwood is about 50mm wide, distinct from the heartwood and yellowish-brown in colour. The wood has a waxy or oily feel, a fine texture, and irregular and often interlocked grain. It is an extremely hard and heavy wood.

Additional information

Latin Name

Dipteryx

Family Name

Fabaceae

Distribution

Naturally distributed throughout northern South America and Central America, the tree has been widely cultivated in Mexico and the West Indies, particularly in Jamaica.

Timber you may like

  • Idigbo

    Idigbo's heartwood is pale yellow-brown, showing a zonal figure originating in the growth rings – like plain oak – and sometimes with a light pinkish cast. The grain is straight to slightly irregular or interlocked. The texture is medium to fairly coarse and uneven. The weight is variable owing to the prevalence of light-weight brittleheart in the inner core-wood; also liable to thunder shakes. Weight from 480-620 kg/m³ (30-39 lb/ft³). Average sound material 560 kg/m³ (35 lb/ft³); specific gravity .56.

  • Sapele

    The heartwood has a medium to dark reddish-brown colour, characterised by a well-defined ribbon striped figure on quartered surfaces. Sometimes, when wavy grain is present, a very attractive fiddleback figure, roe figure or occasionally, beautiful mottled figure is obtained. The grain is interlocked or wavy and the texture fairly fine. Has a cedar-like scent when freshly cut. The timber is liable to ring or cup shakes. Weight varies between 560-690 kg/m³ (35-43 lb/ft³) averages about 620 kg/m³ (39 lb/ft³); specific gravity .62.

  • Utile

    The heartwood matures from a pink-brown when fresh cut to deep red-brown. The grain is interlocked to rather irregular, producing a wide irregular striped figure on quartered surfaces. Weight varies from 550-750 kg/m³ (34-47 lb/ft³), but averages 660 kg/m³ (41 lb/ft³); specific gravity .66. Texture, uniformly moderate.

  • Meranti

    Meranti is a tropical hardwood usually found in South East Asia. The heartwood colour is medium to dark red brown with conspicuous white dammar or resin streaks. The sapwood of Meranti wood however is lighter in colour. The grain is interlocked and wavy giving Meranti a coarse texture. Brittle heart can also be present. Meranti timber tends to have a weight from 580-770 kg/m³ (36-48 lb/ft³) with an average of 670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³) and a specific gravity 0.67.