Trade Names
Imbuya, Imbuya Burl
Latin Names
Phoebe porosa
Origin
South America
Range
South America, especially South Brazil: Parana and St. Catarina; moist soils of tropical mountainous rain forests growing at lower altitudes.
Uses
Very rare veneer wood exclusively used for choice architectural work. Especially popular as accentuating wood for fillings in combination with other high quality ones.
Properties
The heartwood is brown in yellow, olive to chocolate shades. The wood is durable and resistant to insect attack, moderately hard, of medium weight and elastic. Apart from Imbuya Burl this wood has had very little significance in Europe up to now. The burl is only used in Europe for high quality architectural woodwork because of its rareness.
Machining
To produce smooth, non-checked surfaces Imbuya Burl must be very carefully worked due to its burl formation. When cleanly machined the surfaces have a beautiful luster which can also facilitate further treatment.
Seasoning
The wood must be dried very slowly and extremely carefully because Imbuya is strongly prone to warping. There is no strong tendeny to checking.
Finishing
Surface treatment of any type is very easy to carry out and polished surfaces in particular highlight the burly texture.
Jointing
Glue joints are easy to produce and hold firmly. Pre-drilled screw and nail joints have high tensile strength.