Spotlight On: Guajuvira, Brazilian Hickory, Guajayvi Wood
Patagonula americana
SPOTLIGHT ON: GUAJUVIRA, BRAZILIAN HICKORY, GUAJAYVI WOOD
Species: Patagonula americana
Origin: Native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay
Common Applications: Fine furniture, chairs, trim, turnings, boat building and framing, cabinetmaking, carvings, flooring, heavy construction, joinery, mine timbers, musical instruments, sporting equipment, agricultural implements and tools, toys and vehicle parts.
Characteristics/Appearance: Guajuvira's coloring consists of white to brown hues in the sapwood and various shades of dark brown to nearly black hues in the heartwood. Its grain is a fairly straight and finishes with a satin smooth luster. The wood is moderately photosensitive and will patina as it ages.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,810 lb_f (see chart on page 19)
Comments: Guajuvira is a high quality, attractive wood that is in high demand, particularly in Argentina. Guajuvira is a very durable, hard and resilient wood species with a distinctive contrast of dark and light coloration that lends itself to both rustic and contemporary design stylings.
Continued from page 31
luster. Guajuvira is almost twice as hard as North American Hickory and has a moderate stability rating similar to that of Brazilian Cherry.
With its beautiful contrasting coloration and bold visual appeal, Guajuvira can make a bold statement in a rustic mountain lodge, a contemporary high-end condominium or a suburban home. It was an ideal choice for the Cottage De Bordeaux.
Tremblay undertook the Cottage De Bordeaux remodel project in 2010. The homeowners sought to update and open up the interior space to allow more natural light into the two-story cottage, while expanding storage space.
A key first step was to decompartmentalize the ground floor by removing several walls and installing a towering load-bearing beam made from British Columbia Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tremblay then placed real Elm tree trunks (Ulmus spp.) sourced from his client's property in the
Frequently asked questions
How does Guajuvira compare in hardness to North American Hickory and in stability to Brazilian Cherry?+
Guajuvira is almost twice as hard as North American Hickory, with a Janka hardness of 1,810 lb_f. Its stability rating is moderate and similar to that of Brazilian Cherry.
Why was Guajuvira chosen for the Cottage De Bordeaux remodel?+
Guajuvira was selected for its durability, hardness, and distinctive contrast of dark and light coloration, which suited the cottage's updated interior. Its bold visual appeal works well in both rustic and contemporary settings.
What structural changes did Tremblay make to the Cottage De Bordeaux's ground floor in 2010?+
Tremblay decompartmentalized the ground floor by removing several walls and installing a towering load-bearing beam made from British Columbia Douglas-Fir. He also incorporated real Elm tree trunks sourced from the client's property.
In which market is Guajuvira in particularly high demand?+
Guajuvira is a high quality, attractive wood that is in especially high demand in Argentina.
What colors and grain characteristics define Guajuvira wood?+
The sapwood ranges from white to brown, while the heartwood shows various shades of dark brown to nearly black. Its grain is fairly straight and finishes with a satin smooth luster, and it will patina over time due to moderate photosensitivity.
What are the typical applications for Patagonula americana?+
Guajuvira is used for fine furniture, chairs, trim, turnings, boat building and framing, cabinetmaking, carvings, flooring, heavy construction, joinery, mine timbers, musical instruments, sporting equipment, agricultural implements, toys, and vehicle parts.