Common Names:   Amarela Brazilian walnut Canella imbuia Determa Embuia Embuya Imbuia Purchase Imbuya

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
This species is officially classified as Endangered within its natural habitat in Brazil (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center - 1992 ). 

Distribution
The species is reported to occur in the southern region of Brazil, particularly in the humid Araucaria forests in Parana and Santo Catarina. It is usually found at altitudes of 2500 to 4000 feet (760 to 1220 m) growing alongside Parana pine. The tree also grows in the rainforests of the States of Sao Paolo and Rio Grande do Sul.

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible sources. 

The species is considered to be one of the most important commercial species in Brazil. Indiscriminate exploitation, fueled by Imbuia's high commercial value, is reported to have drastically reduced the population of the species within its natural habitat.

Local demand in Brazil is reported to be about as high as the supply, which limits the quantity exported. The timber is reported to be occasionally available in the US and England, especially in veneer form, and is priced in the medium range.

Tree Data
The trees are reported to grow to a maximum height of about 130 feet (40 m), with trunk diameters of about 72 inches (180 cm). Trees growing in the Brazilian rainforests are reported to mature to a height of 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m). Growth is reported to be limited in sparser regions.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is yellow-olive to a chocolate brown, with variegated streaks and stripes. The wood has been compared to American walnut in appearance, hence the nickname, Brazilian walnut. Color variation is reported to be rather high.

Grain
Straight but occasionally curly or wavy, producing a ribbon figure. The material is reported to have a variety of looks, from burly to cluster burls, quilted, and bubbly.

Texture
Texture is typically fine, and is reported to be similar to that of walnut, birch or maple. 

Odor
Freshly-cut wood is reported to have a characteristic strong, pleasant but spicy odor, which fades with time.

Luster
Imbuia is reported to have a high natural luster. 

Ease of Drying
The material is reported to be fairly easy to air-dry, but it should be kiln-dried slowly to avoid degrade. Also requires careful stacking.

Drying Defects
Thicker stock are reported to dry rather slowly, and may develop honeycomb and collapse.

Kiln Schedules
T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US

Movement in Service
The wood is reported to have moderate dimensional stability, and exhibits medium movement after manufacture.

T/R Ratio
2.00
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to be naturally resistant to decay and attack by most wood boring insects. It could resist decay for 15 to 25 years in contact with the ground and without any chemical protection.

Resistance to Impregnation
Moderately resistant to preservation treatment, though the sapwood is permeable.

Toxic Constituents
Sawdust from machining operations has been associated with skin irritation in some individuals.

Veneering Qualities
Figured material is reported to be sliced to produce decorative veneer.

Blunting Effect
The wood is reported to have slight dulling effect on cutters.

Cutting Resistance
Resistance to sawing is reported to be low.

Planing
Planing properties are reported to be good, but there is a tendency for the grain to pick up. A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees has been recommended.

Turning
Turning qualities are reported to be good. It is reported to behave in a similar manner to the walnuts, but may be found slightly harder.

Boring
The wood is reported to respond well to most machining operations including boring, moulding, and mortising, with only slight blunting effect on cutting edges. Cutting angles should be reduced for best results in some operations such as mortising.

Staining
The material is reported to take stains and other finishes well. 

Steam Bending
Steam bending properties are reported to be rather poor.

Strength Properties
The bending strength of air-dried wood of the species is similar to that of Teak, which is considered to be strong. Compression strength parallel to grain, or maximum crushing strength, is medium. It is lower in this property than Teak. It is fairly hard, resisting wear, denting, and marring fairly well. The weight is high. The density is high. 

Comments
Waste-factor from matching is reported to be rather high because of great variation in color and grain.

Subsitutes
The veneer form of Imbuia has been suggested as a good substitute for Black walnut (Juglans nigra ), and can be selected for color to match any kind of walnut.