Trade
or Common Name: Ipe, lapacho,
cortez, Pau Lope®, ironwood
Local Name: Corteza, corteza amarilla
Botanical Name: Tabebuia spp.
Family: Bignoniaceae
Distribution: Central & South America
The
Tree: Ipe is a large canopy tree,
growing to a height of 120 feet in the natural rain forest, with trunk
diameter up to 3 feet and a clear bole of 60 feet. Some specimens
grow to 150 feet with a 6 foot diameter trunk.
The
Wood: Ipe heartwood is light to dark olive brown, often
with attractive lighter or darker striping and striking contrasts
with the lighter color sapwood. It has a fine texture, medium luster,
and a somewhat oily appearance. Ipe is very hard (two to three times
as hard as oak), very strong and very heavy. It weighs approximately
70 pounds per cubic foot and sinks in water. Ipe is rated as extremely
durable.
Uses:
Ipe is prized for quality furniture and decorative veneers, and because
of its strength and durability, is used in boardwalks, decking, porch
floors, tool handles, turnery, industrial flooring, and textile mill
items to name a few..
