Cumaru / Brazilian Teak

CumaruScientific Name:
Dipteryx odorata

Other Names and Species:
Almendrillo
Amburana
Brazilian Teak
Imburana de Cheiro
Tonka
Tonka Bean
Tonquin Bean 

Origin:
Central and South America

The sapwood of Cumaru is very similar to the heartwood, which ranges from tannish to deep brown in colour. Over time the colour of Brazilian Teak (as it is sometimes referred to) will "flatten out" slightly. The species has an irregular, slightly interlocked grain and is coarse and wavy in texture. Cumaru is resistant to insect attack and decay. The hardwood can take some time to dry properly due to its propensity to shrink when freshly cut, but does have good stability characteristics once dry.
Cumaru’s hardness is 3540. It only two and a half per cent softer than IPE (Brazilian walnut), is over one hundred and sixty per cent harder than white oak, almost eighty-five per cent harder than jarrah, and is roughly sixty per cent harder than cabreuva ranking of 2200.
Because it is such an impressively dense wood, cumaru can provide a level of resistance to cutting blades. Predrilling is suggested as splitting can occur with the dried form of this species. Cumaru sands well but can take some effort to finish as it resists treatment. The dust arising from working cumaru wood flooring has been known to cause a slight allergic reaction on contact with skin, and as such some care should be taken in installing and preparing this product. 
cumaru's uses include flooring, decking, cabinetry, canoes, pianos, and general construction.

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