SCIENTIFIC NAME
Ocotea porosa. Derivation: The genus name was coined by Jean Aublet (1723 to 1778) and presumably Latinized from a French Guinea vernacular name. The specific epithet means porous, its application unclear. A synonym is Phoebe porosa.

FAMILY
Lauraceae, the laurel family.

OTHER NAMES
embuia, imbuia, Brazilian walnut, canella imbuia.

DISTRIBUTION
Southern Brazil.

THE TREE
Imbuya grows at altitudes of 2,500 to 4,000 feet and reaches a maximum height of 130 feet with a trunk diameter of about 6 feet. It is an evergreen tree but sheds most of its old leaves in August or September. The fruits mature in January and after falling to the ground provide food for swine.

THE TIMBER
Frequently figured and variegated in color, the heartwood is yellowish-brown to chocolate-brown. When green the wood has a spicy resinous scent, which fades as the wood dries. It is rather fine textured and moderately hard. The straight to wavy grain has a ribbon figure. Average reported specific gravity is 0.53 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air-dried weight of 40 pcf.

SEASONING
Although fairly easy to season, imbuya should be carefully stacked to avoid warping. When dry, the wood is dimensionally stable. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 2.7% radial, 6.0% tangential and 9.0% volumetric.

DURABILITY
Imbuya is resistant to decay and insect attack.

WORKABILITY
Imbuya is easy to work and takes a high polish. The wood can be selected to match any kind of walnut although it will probably be harder than wood in the ]uglans species. It turns well but care should be taken when planing to avoid chipping. When sawn, the fine dust is particularly irritating to some people and may cause sneezing.

USES
In southern Brazil, particularly in Sao Paulo, imbuya is one of the most important woods for high-grade furniture, floorings and joinery. Figured material is sliced into decorative veneer and is a substitute for black walnut (Juglans nigra WDS 150).

SUPPLIES
Usually the local demand in Brazil just about equals the supply so not much is exported. Occasionally there are quantities available in the United States and England, especially in veneer form which sells for a medium price. Dimension timber is in the higher price range.

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks