Common Names:   Amarello Amargosa Ibira romi Palo rosa Peroba rosa Red peroba Rosa peroba Purchase Peroba Rosa

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
The environmental status of this species within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed. 

Distribution
The Peroba group of species in the genus Aspidosperma is reported to occur in southeastern Brazil and la Selva Misionera of Argentina. It is reported to be found in large numbers in the state of Sao Paulo.

Product Sources
It is not known at present whether timber from this species is obtainable from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources.

The timber is reported to be available in adequate quantities and is priced in the moderate range. It has a wide range of applications in Brazil, where the timber is used to construct entire buildings. Reports indicate that Peroba rosa leads all other hardwoods from Brazil in availability and procurement quantities.

The color of the Peroba timbers are often used to indicate the name. For example, Peroba reta has conspicuous black streaks, Peroba miuda is red with darker patches, Peroba peca is a white wood, Peroba rajada is light red with lighter patches, almost golden, and Peroba revesa has a figure similar to that in bird's eye maple.

Tree Data
Peroba rosa is reported to attain an average height of 90 feet (27 m) and an average trunk diameter of 30 inches (75 cm), but it may grow to a height of 125 feet (38 m) and a trunk diameter from 48 to 60 inches (120 to 150 cm). The tree usually develops a straight and clear bole. 

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is yellowish and is not very distinct from the heartwood.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is variegated pink to rose red, with yellow or orange and purple streaks and patches. The color has also been described as pink brown with purple veins. It is reported to darken upon exposure, becoming a brownish yellow to dark brown color

Grain
The grain is straight to irregular, and is reported to be rather variable.

Texture
The texture is typically fine to very fine.

Luster
Wood surfaces are reported to exhibit low to medium luster.

Odor
There is no characteristic odor, but the wood has a bitter taste.

Ease of Drying
The wood is reported to dry rapidly but it requires care in drying to minimize degrade. Shrinkage is reported to be rather large.

Drying Defects
Slight checking and moderate distortion may occur during kiln-drying.

Kiln Schedules
T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US
Schedule E; United Kingdom

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to attain moderate dimensional stability after seasoning, and exhibits medium movement in use.

T/R Ratio
1.50
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood is resistant to attack by decay causing organisms, but it is vulnerable to dry-wood termites. Wood from Brazil is reported to last from 10 to 11 years as untreated railroad sleepers.

Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is rated as extremely resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is treatable.

Corrosive and Staining Properties
Staining and corrosive materials are reported to be present in the wood, but they can be controlled.

Veneering Qualities
Some Peroba rosa logs are reported to slice into highly attractive decorative veneers for paneling and marquetry.

Cutting Resistance
Resistance to sawing is reported to be rather small.

Blunting Effect
The timber is reported to exert moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. 

Planing
For smooth planed surfaces a 20 degree cutting angle is recommended because of irregular grain. Straight-grained material is reported to wark easily.

Boring
Boring is reported to be satisfactory, but end-grain material should be supported at tool-exits.

Mortising
Mortising characteristics are reported to be satisfactory. End-grain material require support at tool-exits to prevent break-outs.

Carving
The wood is reported to have good carving characteristics.

Gluing
Gluing properties are rated from satisfactory to good.

Nailing
The wood nails well without pre-boring.

Polishing
The material is reported to finish smoothly.

Staining
The wood is reported to take stains well.

Varnishing
The wood can be varnished satisfactorily.

Painting
Painting qualities are reported to be satisfactory.

Steam Bending
The wood is reported to be generally unsuitable for steam bending.

Response to Hand Tools
Response to hand tools is reported to be good.

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 in the air-dry condition is high. Teak, White oak, and Hard maple have high crushing strength. It is hard - harder than Teak, and does not marr or dent easily. Wood produced by Peroba rosa is described as hard and heavy, and is one of the highly important and general utility timbers in Brazil. It is sometimes brittle, and grain type tends to affect some strength properties, such as shock resistance which is considerably reduced in the presence of cross grain. Peroba rosa is comparable to the N. American oaks (Quercus ) in strength properties.