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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Jacaranda copaia

Trade Name
Copaia

Family Name
Bignoniaceae

Synonyms
Bignonia procera, Jacaranda procera

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Abey, Aku, Alieskieie, Alieskieie wewe, Amchi ponga, Amuscu, Arabisco, Arbol de roseto, Barbatimao, Bois a pian, Bois a plain, Bois pian, Caballitos, Caco, Cambaota pequena, Cambote, Carabinho do matto, Carabinho guassu, Carabuco, Carauba, Carnauba da Malta, Carnauba de matta, Caroba, Caroba do campo, Caroba do carrasco, Caroba do mato, Caroba do matto, Caroba manaca, Caroba miuda, Caroba preta, Caroba roxa, Carobeira, Carobinho, Carobinho do campo, Carobossu, Casco de cavalho, Cedro blanco, Chingale, Cobaja, Conhecida ainda por, Copaia, Copaia des chantiers, Copay, Copaya, Coroba, Coupaia des chanters, Coupaia des chantiers, Cupay, Diamilikie, Fau, Faux, Faux simarouba, Fettejie, Foete-ie, Footee, Footie, Fotui, Fute, Futi, Futui, Gallina, Gallinazo, Gallino, Gobaia, Gobaja, Goebaja, Goebaya, Gualandai, Gualanday, Guarupa, Jacaranda, Jacaranda caroba, Jacaranda da serra, Jacaranda mimosa, Jacaranda preto, Jaivie, Jassie, Jassie noedol, Jassie-hoehoe, Jawie, Jessie-noedol, Joivie, Kabana, Kandrahoedoe, Koepaia, Koepaja, Kopaia, Koroballi, Kuiship, Majaariran, Mampa falsa, Mari-mari, Marupa falsa, Marupa falso, Marupauba, N'gobaya, Nazare, Njamoesere, Noedal, Nogal blanco, Onguent-pian, Palo de buba, Para-pasa, Parapara, Parapara guassu, Par� par�, Pasa, Pavito, Phootee, Phootie, Saca candela, Samarapa, Samarupa, Sand trysil, Simarouba falsa, Simaruba copaia, Tambor, Tjoekoenda, Totui, What o'clock, Yachibon, Yachimanbo, Yaefi

Regions of Distribution
Central America, Latin America

Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Common Uses
Balusters, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Ceiling, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concrete formwork, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Office furniture, Packing cases, Particleboard, Plain veneer, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Structural plywood, Toothpicks, Utility plywood, Veneer

Environmental Profile

Abundant/Secure

Rare

Widespread

Rank of relative endangerment based on number of occurences globally.

May be rare in some parts of its range

Globally secure

Data source is Nature Conservancy

Abundant

Distribution Overview
From Belize southward to Brazil. A component of the upland forests of the Amazon region and also common in the mixed hardwood forests of Guyana. Regenerates abundantly on old clearings.

Heartwood Color

Purple

Brown

Red

Pink

White to cream

Yellow to golden-yellow to orange

Pale brown

Prominent vessel lines

Dull white to oatmeal

Sapwood Color

White

Color not distinct from heartwood

White to yellow

Paler than heartwood

Grain

Straight

Interlocked

Even

Figure

Weak (figure)

Straight

Interlocked

Weak figure

Generally straight, but not always

A light flecked figure is occasionally present on planed quartersawn surfaces

Texture

Fine

Medium coarse to coarse

Medium

Coarse

Luster

Pronounced

Lustrous

High

Natural Durability

Very durable

Perishable

Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack

Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)

Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles

Non durable

Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack

Vulnerable to insect attack

Very low natural resistance to decay and attack by termites

Very durable

Prone to blue stain

Moderately durable

Odor

Has an odor

No specific smell or taste

Kiln Schedules

Drying (speed) is fast

Drying Defects

Distortion

Slight surface checking

Slight spring/bow

Slight end splitting

No twisting or warping

Generally free from spring and bow

Slight twisting and surface- and end-checking may develop during drying. Some sources also report severe case-hardening.

Ease of Drying

Fairly Easy

Easy

Dries at a fast rate

Tree Identification

Bole/stem form is not buttressed

Bole/stem form is straight

Bole/stem form is cylindrical

Tree Size

Tree height is 10-20 m

Sometimes develop swollen bases. Trunks are usually cylindrical and somewhat straight and clear

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a very important source of timber. The timber is exported regularly from Brazil to China and Japan.

Certified Source

Certified Source

Comments
Copaia wood is reported to compare favorably to White pine in cleavage properties. It is harder than White pine, but is inferior in tension perpendicular to grain, modulus of rupture, impact strength or shock resistance, and shearing strength

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Little dulling effect

Boring

Fair to good results

Fairly easy to very easy

Woolly surfaces common in both green and dry material

Easy

Carving

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Good carving properties

Carving tools should be kept very sharp to avoid fuzzy surfaces

Cutting Resistance

Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult

Tendency to splinter

Easy to saw

Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy

Sawn surfaces are woolly especially in green lumber.

Gluing

Good properties

Mortising

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Requires very sharp cutting edges

Good mortising properties

Moulding

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Requires very sharp cutting edges

Performs well in machining operations

Movement in Service

Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement

Excellent Stability - Small Movement

Fair to poor dimensional stability after seasoning

Nailing

Holds nails well

Easy to nail

Nails hold poorly

Planing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Planes to a poor finish

Ease of planing is moderate

Easy to plane

Planing is reported to produce fuzzy surfaces in green and even in seasoned wood. Cutters should be kept very sharp.

Resistance to Impregnation

Heartwood is permeable

Penetration and retention of preservatives are adequate in the heartwood

Response to Hand Tools

Responds Readily

Easy to machine

The wood responds well to hand tools, but cutting edges must be kept very sharp to prevent woolly surfaces.

Routing & Recessing

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

The wood responds well to routing operations, especially when very sharp cutters are used

Sanding

Good sanding qualities

Screwing

Easy to screw

Turning

Fair to Good Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

The material is reported to turn well but very sharp cutters are required to prevent fuzzy surfaces

Veneering Qualities

Easy to cut

Suitable for slicing

Suitable for peeling

Polishing

Very Good to Excellent Results

Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Satisfactory results

Good results

Strength Properties

Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.

Hardness (side grain) = very soft

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Max. crushing strength = low

Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low

Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate

Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large

Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low

Max. crushing strength = medium

Shrinkage, Tangential = large

Shrinkage, Volumetric = small

Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.

Shrinkage, Volumetric = large

Shrinkage, Tangential = very small

Shrinkage, Radial = very small

Bending strength (MOR) = very low

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	5340	8786	psi
Crushing Strength	177	338	psi
Density		26	lbs/ft3
Hardness		355	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	2423	4530	psi
Shearing Strength		827	psi
Static Bending	2391	5184	psi
Stiffness	1148	1423	1000 psi
Toughness		53	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	3	5	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.27	0.32
Weight	25	23	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	4		%
Tangential Shrinkage	7		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	12		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	375	617	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	12	23	kg/cm2
Density		416	kg/m3
Hardness		161	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	170	318	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		58	kg/cm2
Static Bending	168	364	kg/cm2
Stiffness	80	100	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		61	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	0.21	0.35	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.27	0.32
Weight	400	368	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	4		%
Tangential Shrinkage	7		%

References
Almeida, D.G. de, Costa, J.R. da,1956,Madeiras do Brasil. (Timbers of Brazil.,Min. Ag. Servico de Economia Rural, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,pp56

Bena, P.,1960,Essences Forestieres de Guyane,Bureau Agricole et Forestier Guyanais Guyana

Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Brazil -, I.B.D.F.,1980,Woods from Tucurui - characteristics and application,The Ag. Ministry Brazilian Institute for Forest Development

Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-marne, CEDEX, France.

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Falla Ramirez, A.,1971,Resultados de Estudios Fisico-Mechanicos de Algunas Maderas de la Serrania,de San Lucas. (Some timbers of the San Lucas mountain range.,Plegable Divulgativo, Div. Forestal, Inderena Colombia,pp6

Falla Ramirez, A.,1971,Resultados de los estudios Fisico-Mecanicos de 41 especies Maderables de,la,region Carare-Opon. (Results of studies of the physical and mechanical,properties of 41 timber species of the Carare-Opon region.,Inst. de Desarrollo de los Recursos Naturales Renovables. Div. For.,Pleagble Divulgativo, Inderena Colombia,pp6

Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1

Haygreen, J.G., French, D.W.,1971,Some Characteristics of Particleboards form 4 Tropical Hardwoods of,Central America,Forest Products Journal,21(2,pp30-33

Hoheisel, H., Karstedt, P.,1967,Identification of Ecuadorian Wood Sp. for possibilities of Utilization on,the basis of Technological Results,Institito Forestal Latino-Americana Merida Venezuala

Hoheisel, H.,1968,Identification of some Colombian wood Sp. and their possible use on the,basis of physical and mechanical properties,Latin American Forest Research and Training Institute, Merida Venezuala

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

ITTO. New Marketable Species Technical Notes. Prepared by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, 94736 Nogent-sur-marne Cedex, France.

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil

Polak, A.M.,1992,Major Timber Trees of Guyana A Field Guide,The Tropenbos Foundation Wageningen, The Netherlands

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1940,American Woods of the Family Bignoniaceae,Tropical Woods,8(63,pp 9-38

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press

Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.

Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service

Tad,1925,Jacaranda copaia in British Guiana,Tropical Woods,1(3,pp6-8

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

Teixeira, D. E., M. A. E. Santana and M. Rabelo de Souza. 1988. Amazonian Timbers for the International Market. ITTO Technical Series 1. Brazilian Institute for Forestry Development, Brazil.

Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]

Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia

Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.

Wangaard, F.F., W.L. Stern, and S.L. Goodrich. 1955. Tropical Woods - Properties and Uses of Tropical Woods, Volume V, No. 103. School of Forestry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

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