COMMON NAMES:   Ipe, lapacho, hakia, bethabara

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   .85 - .97

DENSITY:  66 - 75 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   8%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   6.6%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   13.2%

DURABILITY1:   Very good

SOURCE:  Plentiful throughout tropical America, especially Brazil, and some of the Lesser Antilles

DESCRIPTION:   Heartwood ranges from olive-brown to reddish-black. Very resistant to the elements, making it a popular choice for outdoor decking and construction, including bridges. Difficult to work, especially with hand tools. Has a blunting effect on tools. Predrilling required to avoid splitting.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.