Cumaru for the Beidler Forest Boardwalk
Scrupulous Standards for Environmental Stewardship
"Forest stewardship has been at the forefront of our business model since our very beginning. The process started with our focus on naturally durable wood species versus a chemically treated wood species."
— Brian Lotz, Timber Holdings USA
The Audubon Society, known for its commitment to conservation, ecological stewardship and land management, set high standards when it came to the selection and sourcing of materials for the new boardwalk. "We looked at everything from recycled plastic to recycled plastic impregnated with fiberglass to engineered bamboo to TimberSIL to various other pressure treated wood products. We even briefly considered using recycled aluminum," Dawson said.
Brian Lotz, director of business development/outside sales for Timber Holdings USA, had been involved in a similar project at the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, MS, where Ipe had been used to construct a boardwalk. Lotz suggested using Cumaru for the Beidler Forest walkway.
Like Ipe, Cumaru is strong, dense, durable and resistant to decay. It's also 20 percent less costly than Ipe, an important factor given that the project involved 7,000 running board feet of walkway. "Above all, Brian made us comfortable with the sourcing of the Cumaru," said Dawson.
Scrupulous Standards for Environmental Stewardship
Timber Holdings' sourcing procedures met the Audubon Society's scrupulous standards for environmental stewardship. "Forest stewardship has been at the forefront of our business model since our very beginning," said Lotz. "The process started with our focus on naturally durable wood species versus a chemically treated wood species."
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Spotlight On: Cumaru / Brazilian Teak / Tonka
- Species: Dipteryx odorata
- Origin: Central American and northern South America
- Common Applications: Decking, commercial boardwalks, flooring, millwork, furniture, tool handles and turned objects.
- Characteristics/Appearance: Sapwood is a yellowish-brown and is distinct from the heartwood, which is a reddish-brown to purple-hued brown. Exposure to light makes the overall color become more uniform. Typically interlocked grain with a medium coarse texture, Cumaru is exceptionally strong, very dimensionally stable, very dense, with a high shock resistance.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 3,300 lbf (see chart on page 15)
- Comments: Cumaru has excellent durability and weathering properties. Cumaru is able to stand up to almost anything the environment throws at it. Not only is it naturally resistant to mold, insects, and rot, Cumaru is one of the few hardwoods considered to be flame resistant due to its density. It not only lasts a long time, but has the beauty of an interior hardwood.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Cumaru chosen for the Beidler Forest boardwalk instead of Ipe?+
Cumaru offers similar strength, density, durability and decay resistance as Ipe but costs about 20 percent less, which was a significant factor for a project involving 7,000 running board feet of walkway. Timber Holdings' sourcing procedures also met the Audubon Society's environmental stewardship standards.
What materials did the Audubon Society consider before selecting Cumaru?+
They evaluated recycled plastic, recycled plastic impregnated with fiberglass, engineered bamboo, TimberSIL, various pressure treated wood products, and even briefly considered recycled aluminum before choosing Cumaru.
How much Cumaru was used for the Beidler Forest boardwalk?+
The project involved 7,000 running board feet of walkway constructed with Cumaru.
What is the Janka hardness rating of Cumaru?+
Cumaru has a Janka hardness rating of 3,300 lbf, reflecting its exceptional density and strength.
Where does Cumaru wood come from?+
Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), also known as Brazilian Teak or Tonka, originates from Central America and northern South America.
Is Cumaru naturally resistant to decay and fire?+
Yes, Cumaru is naturally resistant to mold, insects, and rot, and is one of the few hardwoods considered flame resistant due to its density. This allowed Timber Holdings to avoid chemically treated wood species.