Common Name(s): Cumaru, Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean
Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata
Distribution: Northern South America
Tree Size: 130-160 ft (40-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft3 (1,095 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .86
Hardness: 3,540 lbf (15,750 N)
Rupture Strength: 24,840 lbf/in2 (171,280 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 3,020,000 lbf/in2 (20,830 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 13,460 lbf/in2 (92.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

 

Color/Appearance:
Heartwood tends to be a medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue; some pieces may have streaks of yellowish or greenish brown.
Unlike most other woods, Cumaru’s color tends to lighten with exposure to light.
Grain/Pore:
Has a fine, uniform grain and texture, with very small open pores. The grain is nearly always interlocked to some degree.
Durability:
Cumaru has excellent durability and weathering properties. The wood is rated as very durable regarding decay resistance, though it may be susceptible to
some insect attacks.
Workability:
Tends to be difficult to work on account of its density and interlocked grain. If the grain is not too interlocked, Cumaru can be surface-planed to a
smooth finish. However, the wood contains silica and will have a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. Due to its high oil content and density, Cumaru
can present difficulties in gluing, and pre-boring is necessary when screwing or nailing the wood. Cumaru turns well on the lathe.
Scent:
Cumaru has a faint, vanilla or cinnamon-like odor when being worked.
Safety:
There have been no adverse health effects associated with Cumaru. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price/Availability:
Should be inexpensive for an import. Cumaru, much like Jatoba, represents a great value for those seeking a low-cost lumber that has excellent strength
and hardness properties.
Comments:
Wood of the species Dipteryx odorata is most commonly called Cumaru among most woodworkers, though it is sometimes referred to as Brazilian Teak as well:
primarily when used as hardwood flooring. (Brazilian Teak is not related to the wood that is most commonly called Teak, Tectona grandis.)
Cumaru is also called by the name Tonka Bean, and the tree is commonly cultivated for its vanilla-cinnamon scented seed the tonka bean which contains a
chemical compound called coumarin.
Cumaru lumber is extremely stiff, strong, and hard, lending itself well to a variety of applications. It is sometimes used in place of the much more
scarce Lignum Vitae. Some common uses for Cumaru include: flooring, cabinetry, furniture, heavy construction, docks, railroad ties, bearings, handles, and
other turned objects.