CURUPAY
BOTANICAL NAME: Anadenanthera colubrina (synonyms include Acacia colubrina, Acacia grata, Anadenanthera macrocarpa,Anadenanthera colubrina, Mimosa grata, Piptadenia cebil, Piptadenia colubrina, Piptadenia grata, Piptadenia hassleriana, Piptadenia macrocarpa)

COMMON NAMES: Angico prieto, Cebil, Cebil Colorado, Curupay ata, Patagonia rosewood

TYPE: hardwood

COLOR: The heartwood color is initially pale chestnut brown with light streaks, but it darkens upon exposure to sunlight to reddish brown with darker colored, almost black streaks which give the wood a very attractive appearance. The sapwood is yellow brown to pale pink

GRAIN: usually irregular and sometimes strongly interlocked

TEXTURE: fine

PROPERTIES / WORKABILITY: The species is considerably stronger than White oak or Teak and has exceptionally high maximum crushing strength (compression parallel to grain) in the air-dry condition. It is very hard, and may require special tools to process. Resistance to cutting is rated as very high especially when interlocked grain is present. Considerable tooth vibration and overheating of saws have been reported along with severe blunting effect on cutting tools. It is very difficult to plane because it is very hard. A reduced cutting angle of 15 or 10 degrees is recommended in material containing irregular grain. The wood is reported to turn well but is difficult to nail, screw, and bore because of its hardness and for the same reason, it is very difficult to work with hand tools and is practically impossible to carve.

One report, definitely in the minority, says it does not cause severe blunting of cutting tools

DURABILITY: The heartwood is reported to have high natural resistance to decay, fungi and insects. Untreated wood in contact with the ground could resist decay for 15 to 25 years.

FINISH: takes a good finish

STABILITY: moderately stable after seasoning, and tends to show medium stablitiy in use.

BENDING: exceptionally high bending strength qualities when air-dried

ODOR: no characteristic odor or taste

SOURCES: reported to occur widely throughout Argentina, and is also found in the sub-tropical and dry forests of Brazil and Paraguay.

USES: decking, boat building, flooring, garden furniture, heavy constuction, railroad ties

TREE: reaches a height of about 80 feet (24 m), with a trunk diameter of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm). It develops straight and clear boles that are about 24 feet (7 m) long.

WEIGHT: 65 lbs/cu.ft.

DRYING: reported to dry rather slowly with a slight tendency to warp during kiln drying. Thicker stock may also check and split.

AVAILABILITY:

COST:

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