Garapa

Names and distribution: Botanically, Garapa(Apuleia leiocarpa) belongs to the Caesalpiniaceae, a subfamily of legumes. The species is widespread in South America and is found in Brazil, among other places. Garapa is usually a large tree with a cylindrical trunk and can grow up to 45 meters high with a trunk diameter of 80 cm. Garapa grows in humid forests and is often found in company with Cumaru and Ipé.

Wood appearance: Heartwood lemon yellow, quickly darkening to golden brown. Sapwood white, clearly demarcated from the core. Pores fine, scattered. Homogeneous wood with an unobtrusive, simple texture (grain). The grain is mostly straight, with occasional alternating twists. Decorative, rarely occurring pinholes (flight holes of fresh wood insects).

Properties: Density at 12% moisture content averages 0.83 tons/m3, approximately the density of robinia. The shrinkage is specified as 7.5 % tangential and 4.4 % radial, both average values. Garapa shows satisfactorily good stability in practice if the wood is dried to 18% before planing. Then there is only a slight risk of warping and twisting. Drying should be slow and gentle. Due to the high silicate content, the wood should only be processed with stellited tools (sawing, planing). Pre-drilling is required. Decorative and smooth surfaces can be created. Garapa is weather-resistant (class 2). There are no known reports of bleeding of ingredients dissolved on the surface.

Use: Bridges and fence construction, terraces, parquet, floorboards, tools.

Replaces: Bilinga, Iroko, etc.