Cumaru Rosa - Commonly known as Brazilian Teak

Cumaru Rosa

CUMARU / BRAZILIAN TEAK / REALCUMARU
Scientific Name: Dipteryx odorata

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

Origin: Central and South America

Appearance: The sapwood of red cumaru hard wood – RealCumaru - decking is very similar to the heartwood, which ranges from red brown to deep red in color with a tight, even grain. Over time the red cumaru color will "flatten out" slightly. The species has an irregular, slightly interlocked grain and is coarse and wavy in texture. This dense, attractive Brazilian hard wood has the characteristics of ipe, but without the olive-green tone. Cumaru hard wood – RealCumaru - is sometimes referred to as Brazilian teak or southern chestnut

Properties: Cumaru hard wood – RealCumaru - decking is resistant to insect attack and decay. Cumaru – RealCumaru - decking can take some time to dry properly due to its propensity to shrink when freshly cut, but does have good stability characteristics once dry. It is one of the densest woods on the planet and is VERY durable. Our friends in South America have been using cumaru hard wood for fence posts and earth contact timbers for generations and brag about its useful life of 100 years. It is common for the Cumaru – RealCumaru - tree to reach to 160 ft in height with trunk diameters of 40 in.

DRYING AND SHRINKAGE
Very unstable when used in dry climates and it is prone to shrinkage. It is naturally seasoned and kiln dried to prevent shrinkage.

Janka Hardness: 3540  Cumaru – RealCumaru - is only two and a half percent softer than ipe (Brazilin walnut), almost 3 times as hard as Red Oak (1210 Janka).

Workability: Cumaru – RealCumaru - decking is one of the hardest woods on the planet, the wood is difficult to saw and bore and will have a fairly high blunting effect on tools. Where severely interlocked grain is not present, the wood planes to a smooth surface. Because of its high density and oily nature, the wood glues poorly. It nails and screws well; pre-boring is necessary. The dust arising from working cumaru wood flooring has been known to cause a slight allergic reaction on contact with skin for some people, and as such some care should be taken in installing and preparing this product.

PRESERVATION: Cumaru – RealCumaru - naturally weathers to a beautiful, silver-gray patina. To maintain this rich tone, Flood Company’s deck oil with UV inhibitor works best. Application of sealers is optional