Garapa

Garapa (Apuleia leiocarpa)

Common Name(s): Garapa

Scientific Name: Apuleia leiocarpa

Distribution: South America

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 52 lbs/ft³ (835 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .66

Hardness: 1,650 lb_f (7,320 N)

Bending Strength: 17,020 lb_f/in² (117,340 kPa)

Elasticity: 2,163,000 lb_f/in² (14,920 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.2%, Tangential: 7.5%, Volumetric: 11.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.8

Color/Appearance: Garapa has a golden to yellowish brown color, which darkens with age. The wood is fairly chatoyant, and appears to shift from dark to light coloring in different lighting angles. (This is evident in the scanned image of the sealed wood below, which only appears as patches of light/dark wood.)

Grain/Pore: Garapa has a medium texture and small open pores. The grain is usually straight, but can also be interlocked.

Durability: Garapa is a naturally durable hardwood, though it is susceptible to insect attack.

Workability: Garapa is fairly easy to work, considering it’s density. It glues and finishes well, and is about average for dimensional stability.

Smell: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Garapa has been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Garapa is not commonly available in lumber form, though it is sometimes used for flooring and decking. The price should be moderate for an imported hardwood, comparing similarly to other South American imports such as Cumaru or Jatoba.

Comments: Garapa is occasionally exported from South America for use as flooring or exterior decking material. The wood is also used in docks and boatbuilding.