Imbuia

Scientific Name: Phoebe porosa
Family: Lauraceae

Common Names: Imbuia, Brazilian-Walnut, Canella imbuia, Embuia, Embuya (Brazil)

Distribution: Grows mostly in the moist Araucaria forests of Parana and Santa Catharina in southern
Brazil, mostly at altitudes of 2,500 to 4,000 ft; forming rather rich stands.
The Tree: The tree attains a maximum height of 130 ft and a trunk diameter of about 6 ft.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood yellowish or olive to chocolate brown, either plain or
beautifully variegated and figured; sapwood is gray and usually distinct. Texture rather fine; grain is
straight to curly and wavy; luster medium to rather high; spicy resinous scent and taste but losing
most of it in drying. Dust arising in working may cause dermatitis.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.53; air-dry density 40 pcf.
Mechanical Properties: (First set of data based on 2-cm standard; second set on the 2-in. standard.)

Moisture content	Bending strength	Modulus of elasticity	Maximum crushing strength
(%)	(Psi)	(1,000 psi)	(Psi)
Green (30)	11,100	1,120	4,620
15%	13,250	NA	6,400
Green (40)	7,700	1,080	3,380
12%	12,100	1,410	6,650

Janka side hardness 880 lb for green material and 950 lb at 12% moisture content. Amsler toughness
182 in.-lb at 15% moisture content (2-cm specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: The wood is reported to be easy to air-dry, however thick stock is slow to
dry and may develop honeycomb and collapse. Kiln schedule T6-D2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and
T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 2.7%; tangential 6.0%; volumetric 9.0%.

Working Properties: Saws and machines satisfactorily and finishes smoothly. Fine dust generated
in working may cause dermatitis.

Durability: Heartwood is reported to be resistant to attack by decay fungi.

Preservation: No information available.

Uses: Fine furniture and cabinet work, paneling, flooring, gunstocks, decorative veneer, and joinery.

From: Chudnoff, Martin. 1984. Tropical Timbers of the World. USDA Forest Service. Ag.
Handbook No. 607.

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