Ipe

Ipe (Tabebuia spp.)
Ipe (Handroanthus spp.)

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Common Name(s): Ipe, Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho

Scientific Name: Handroanthus spp. (formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus)

Distribution: Tropical Americas (Central and South America); also farmed commercially

Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 69 lbs/ft3 (1,100 kg/m3)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .91, 1.10

Janka Hardness: 3,510 lbf (15,620 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 25,660 lbf/in2 (177.0 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 3,200,000 lbf/in2 (22.07 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 13,600 lbf/in2 (93.8 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 5.9%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.2

Color/Appearance: Heartwood can vary in color from reddish brown, to a more yellowish olive brown or darker blackish brown; sometimes with contrasting darker brown/black stripes. In certain species, there are powdery yellow deposits within the wood. Ipe can be difficult to distinguish visually from Cumaru, another dense South American timber, though Ipe tends to be darker, and lacks the subtle yet characteristic vanilla/cinnamon scent while being worked.

Grain/Texture: Has a fine to medium texture, with the grain varying from straight to irregular or interlocked. Moderate natural luster.

Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; solitary and radial multiples; medium to large pores in no specific arrangement, moderately numerous to numerous; tyloses and mineral/gum deposits occasionally present; parenchyma unilateral, winged, and marginal; narrow rays, spacing normal; ripple marks present.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable; excellent insect resistance, though some species are susceptible to marine borers. Superb weathering characteristics. (Ipe was used for the boardwalk along the beach of New York City’s Coney Island, and was said to have lasted 25 years before it needed to be replaced: an amazing lifespan given the amount of traffic and environmental stresses put upon the wood.)

Workability: Overall, Ipe is a difficult wood to work, being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance during sawing. Ipe also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain can tearout on interlocked areas. Also, Ipe can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the natural powdery yellow deposits can sometimes interfere with polishing or finishing the wood.

Odor: Ipe has a mild scent while being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ipe has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms, and/or disturbance of vision. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Primarily sold as decking or flooring, boards for furniture or general use are sometimes availabe as well. Prices are moderate for an imported tropical species.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, Ipe species grow in very low densities, with mature trees only occurring once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet (3 to 10 hectares) of forest area. This necessitates the clearing of large sections of rainforest trees (most of which are of little commercial value). Though uncommon, certified sources of Ipe are available.

Common Uses: Flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects.

Comments: Ipe is a wood of extremes: extremely dense and durable, as well as extremely difficult to work. Its incredible hardness and strength make it well suited for flooring applications, though it is referred to as “Brazilian Walnut” among flooring dealers—though it is not related to true Walnut in the Juglans genus.

Formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus, species of Ipe (H. guayacan, H. impetiginosus, H. serratifolius) were moved to the Handroanthus genus in 2007 based on genetic studies

Related Species:

None available.

Related Articles:

Scans/Pictures:

Ipe (sanded)
Ipe (sanded)

Ipe (sealed)
Ipe (sealed)

Ipe (endgrain)
Ipe (endgrain)

Ipe (endgrain 10x)
Ipe (endgrain 10x)
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John Ritchie

Ok, it’s more than a mild scent when being worked. Imagine sitting around a tire fire downwind from a hog farm. And the scent sticks in your nose for days.

Paul

Which species are susceptible?

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable; excellent insect resistance, though some species are susceptible to marine borers.

Elwood

Here’s the top of the chair on the left with the checked pattern; on the right is what the other 3 chairs look like.

Alberto

Hi
Can you recommend a good oil to protect this wood?

Paul

Ipe Oil works very well on ipe. Clean the wood and let it heat up in the sun. Apply the oil.
For outdoor furniture in NC two coats a year protects the wood nicely.

Steven Schuemann

I have scrap end pieces from sawed off end pieces 2″ x 5 that I bought as ipe. 3 years later I just put it in my aquarium and it floats. Was I given something that was not ipe? I believe it did not float when I bought it.

Last edited 9 months ago by Steven Schuemann
Steven Schuemann

Thank you Eric for replying to my question. I put in several samples that have been out of the rain for a couple of years in my aquarium. Some floated, some sank, all sank eventually. I live out in the country so I had to buy online. Thank you for reassuring me.
Steve

Filip

Can someone help me identify what species these are? I bought both pieces as Ipe (lapacho) but the piece on the left, the browner one, is firmer, has absolutely no smell (even when processed) and feels “greasy” to the touch. The piece on the right is a little softer, has more fine pores, is distinctly greenish and has a very distinct smell, in my opinion unpleasant; it definitely doesn’t smell like vanilla or cinnamon like Cumaru…

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Andrew at Carolina Farmstead

Looks like Ipe and Teak

Adrian

Can anyone help me identify the wood species in this photo. It was an old table top.
It’s very hard and strong which is why I thought it might be ipe but not sure. I wet the top half of the piece to better bring out the color tones.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

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David F.

I’ve been working with hundreds of pieces scrap ipe from my deck for the past year. I’m almost certain that what you have here is not ipe. Ipe has a wide range of coloration and graining, but I haven’t seen anything that looks like this. You can cut off a small piece and drop it into a glass of water. If it floats, It’s not ipe. There may be the odd piece of ipe that will float, but every piece I’ve tried this test on sinks so fast that it makes a noise hitting the bottom of the glass.

Bill m

That is not an exotic wood. Could be long leaf pine.

Marit

This ipe wood covers the floor of my terrace. Previous owners have oiled the floor several times.The floor is worn, and doesn’t look good. It’s not possible to use a sort of Exterior Cleaner because of the naighbor below. Cleaning and removing old oil, will ledd to a lot of mess. Is it possible to sanding the floor, or will it destroy the durability and strukturere of the wood. The floor is expoce to both rain and snow.

Art from Maine

Being so hard and strong, sanding will not harm it. I just pressure washed our deck and it looks good as new

Jason Sage

the toxicity of this wood mentioned here is inaccurate. It is highly toxic, splinters in skin going septic almost immediately. Breathing the dust makes one a staff carrier and permanently susceptible to staff infection

Chris baschab

Being a carpenter, and having used a lot of Ipe, I can attest to it’s toxicity. Do not handle the wood without gloves, and never breath the dust.

Sergei Petrov

Ipe is not highly toxic, contrary to what is posted on the web. It is allergic, but reaction is highly individual. I have been working with Ipe in my shop for 20 years and have no reaction. Splinters do not cause infection but may cause allergic reaction. Ipe is a natural disinfectant and is used as medicine by indigenous people.

Paul

I agree with Chris. I have built furniture and decks out of ipe. I only handle it with gloves – the nitrex gloves work great. And I always wear a an n95 mask. This way I do not spend my evenings removing splinters and coughing up black / brown flem.

Chris baschab

The staff infection comment sounds pretty far out though

Sarah

Are there any recommendations for removing painted graffiti from the surface of this wood?
Our city installed bridges and railings built from this wood in 2016/2017, and we would like to remove the accumulated graffiti – is sanding the best option? Any recommendations as to grit, etc?
Would a graffiti removal machine be too abrasive? Would power washing be likely to work?

Art from Maine

Power washing is worth a try. It will not harm the wood if you spray normally

Brendan

Acetone removes paint pretty easily with a rag and some light elbow grease, but I don’t know the extent of the graffiti and if that would take too much time. Keep in mind, this will also remove any finish from the wood. I use this process to remove paint splatter and old lacquer from antique rosewood tool handles.

Tim Keating

Hi, Sarah. What city are you referring to?

Isaac

Do you have papers\articles\data about ipe’s plantation on farms?

Tim Keating

Hi, Isaac. No plantation-grown ipê is internationally traded for wood. Part of ipê’s usefulness comes from the density that accrues as it ages. Young ipê won’t work for applications and attributes people typically buy it for. The same could be said of cypress and Western redcedar, actually, which is why you still see ‘clear’ WRC being specified. But I digress. It’s important to remember that the term “ipê” can apply to over a hundred species of trees, some of which are small flowering trees. My understanding is that seven species are targeted for the trade as timber (which, I suspect,… Read more »

Molly

Having my non treated grey ipe deck cleaned with mild bleach solution to kill black mold. Do I need to put any moisture/restorative product after? I want to keep the non stained, natural appearance. Can I do nothing and let it “grey up”?

Trish

We’ve had ipe decks and a dock at a lakefront home for 20+ years. Search for ipe oil cleaner & sealer online. They sell a specific product. It must be oiled or sealed every 1-2 years, but it looks great in-between. Expensive but worth it to get the ipe-specific product. We tried other general sealers & oils in the past and they didn’t last as long or look as good.

Molly

Did you keep your deck grey? That’s what I’m going for and desperately hoping I don’t have to do anything. They now have been cleaned, no furring, feel smooth. Do I really need to do anything more? I’m pretty slothful.

Chris baschab

Yes, and like teak on a yacht, it is the best there is

Sebastian

I would like to use ipe to make an outdoor living room, sofa and coffee table. What finish could I give it?

Nick

A penetrating oil sealer such as Penofin “For Hardwoods” is easy to apply and looks great. Needs to be refreshed every year or two, depending on exposure.

Ryan

Hello, I’m wanting to build some deadeyes, sailboat shroud tensioning blocks, I am wondering which strength metric would be most appropriate for the type of load these blocks will be taking. the blocks are fairly thick, round or triangular and have three or four holes for line to pass between them, creating a purchase system to tension sailboat standing rigging. The grain typically is horizontally oriented when looking at the face of the deadeyes. The rupture needs to be pretty close or the same as the rigging line, So I’m wondering if I should be looking more towards modulus of… Read more »

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Ryan Karakai

Lignums self lubricating properties actually lend themselves to tensioning this device, reducing the ropes friction passing through multiple holes under tension, usually these parts are well greased as well to promote friction free tensioning. We have techniques in rigging to tie these off in a way that they never slip loose once the desired tension is achieved, if this is what you were concerned about with the oily qualities? My biggest concern with lignum is getting big enough chunks to do all my pieces. The breaking strength of the rigging wire will be approx 24000 lbs, and the load on… Read more »

Jason Peters

use lignum vitae

Mario Martins

Why is no mention about Yellow ipe?Eric Meier, do you need a sample?
I know is a bit rarer than red ipe , but I think deserves to be mentioned.

Mario Martins

“Handroanthus albus” is the scientific name. 
Sorry for late reply I only a notification 5 months later.

John M

Are you talking about Ipe Champagne, if so, it is actually Cumaru.

Mario Martins

I’m talking about ” Handroanthus albus”

hakan

Hello,
Can ipe timber be dried in a drying oven?

Aaron Mullen

All Ipe used commercially is kiln dried

hakan

Thank you for answer

Richard

As a knifemaker I can attest to the qualities of Ipe. It is difficult to saw accurately but it sands easily if you use the right grit of sanding belt and gentle pressure or you’ll burn the surface. The grain characteristics are great especially when you use bookend matching. As for durability you can’t beat it for the price. I’ve never had a problem gluing with epoxy or Gorilla Glue for wood to metal or Titebond 3 for wood to wood. Wiping down with acetone definitely helps. Have just finished a set of chef knives and a knife block for… Read more »

Deacon

I’ve acquired some ipe and wondered if its ok to use in cutting boards. Is this wood ok to use for that?
Thanks in advance

Sapiens lignum

not if you’re planning to use the cutting board for food. While the frequency of bad reactions is relatively low, I wouldn’t be willing to take the chance, and hope you don’t want to either.

Deacon

Thank you for the response. Although I was hoping for a different answer, I’ll take your advice seriously and figure out another use for it. Thanks again.

Paul

A friend used Ipe cutoffs to make musical instruments.

Joel Rampersad

We use tonka bean for cutting boards in the Caribbean.

Chris

Your knife edges will be dulled rather quickly. Recommendations for boards are woods between 800-1500 Janka hardness, preferably end grain so the knife can sink in and then when the knife is removed, the wood can close up after the cut. Even lower on the scale, there are very nice larchwood end grain boards if you go that route.

Rhymes Day

We have installed an IPE deck in exterior more than a year ago. It is beautiful with dark brown color and performing perfectly fine.

Miroslava

Got BazilianIpe sample for my future deck, left it outside (sun and some rain) and found a large crack after 3 weeks. Is this real Ipe?

Gonzalo

Difficult to know just by words.
Ipe can present all the diffects other woods have. Remember that a decj have to be sealed or protected.

Josh

Yes. Ipe does crack.

Jennifer Moore

Can Ipe Wood be used for kitchen countertop?

Jonathan

most likely. should probably be sealed with epoxy or something to avoid potential rot

Jeffrey

Is Ipe sustainable?

João Ricardo

It depends, here in Brazil yellow Ipê is one of the most popular Decorative trees used in our streets, but its ocurrence is endandgered in our forests due to illegal extraction.

Last edited 2 years ago by João Ricardo
Jeffrey C Jackson

How do you pronounce Ipe?

Chris

Like Ebay but with a “p”. Epay – at least that’s how I pronounce it.

Jonathan

To my knowledge that is the correct pronunciation.

Gedson

Ipê is a native brazilian word meaning “tree with hard bark” and you should pronounce it I (like the I in Indian) Pê (like in Pension).

Bruce Cosbey

Client wanting to use it IN an 8′ x 8′ spa to create a non floating shallow “Kiddy Pool” Is this a toxic/bleeding condition, and same question if using teak with it as well for final product?

Bruce Cosbey

Mahalo Eric… that’s why the Ipe is part of structure to keep it from floating. Know there might be organic issues conflicting w/ pool chemicals and possible stain of tile? Wish a scientist could weigh in as most concerned about adverse effects for little kids if any, as both dusts are BAD for us, and if it could off gassed ??? into water? Thank you for your reply, mate

Umbria

Watch out with Bolivian IPE for decks…nowhere as trouble free as Brazilian variety. MUST BE SANDED each year to remove checking and then two costs of Tung oil. Wood also moves a lot so expect gaps here and there.

Rick McCoy

I make segmented bowls, among other things. I have a request from a customer for a salad bowl made from IPE. From reading the comments and specs, it looks like a waste of time. Any suggestions?

Rick McCoy

I don’t have carbide turning tools, and it sounds like HSS dulls very quickly, so lots of sharpening after very little turning. I’m also concerned about glue joints holding. In a segmented bowl, there are lots of end-grain glue joints.

Rick McCoy

Thanks Eric. I’ll give it a shot.

Watty

have you thought about using epoxy ? I use it with great success with hard to glue woods

R.

Although most/all typical epoxies can/do have issues with UV light, Salt Water, Harsh Weather in general; I’ve recently rediscovered “Resorcinol-based” glue for outdoor/exterior applications – I’ve worked with it a lot in my distant past when rebuilding/repairing Boat Docks in marinas. Wooden Boat Builders use it as well. It’s well known to do extremely well with bonding oily exotic woods such as teak. It’s a two-part system, so typically a powder mixed into a liquid resin, but 2 liquids are also available. NOTE: most Resorcinol ones contain FORMALDEHYDE, so not a good choice for Eating/Food/Bathing applications? I have not dug… Read more »

Carla Kelly, luthier

Wipe it down with acetone where you’re putting glue. The acetone cuts the surface enough to allow a good glue joint. This is a handy treatment for any hard-to-glue joints.

Marco

Has anyone experienced an allergic reaction to an IPE wood deck?