Species Spotlights: Boxwood, Antiaris, and Greenheart
"We often recommend Greenheart when a combination of strength and extraordinary resistance are needed. Our customers often use Greenheart for decking but we really like thinking broader than that to exterior siding and rainscreens." — Joe McKinney, President, McVantage of Guyana, Inc.
Spotlight On: Boxwood / Cuta / San Domingo
Species: Phyllostylon rhamnoides
Origin: South America, Central America, Mexico
Comparable to other popular woods: Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Common Applications: Flooring, decking, and construction, as well as highly customized musical instrument parts.
Characteristics/Appearance: The heartwood is lemon-yellow, occasionally with dark streaks. The sapwood is not clearly defined with a yellowish to cream color. The grain is fairly straight but sometimes irregular with a fine uniform texture. Easy to work with and can be readily carved. Possesses good finishing characteristics.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,230 lb_f (see chart on page 56)
Comments: Very durable and highly resistant to insect attack.
Spotlight On: Antiaris / Chenchen
Species: Antiaris spp.
Origin: Africa
Comparable to other popular woods: Known as "White Sapele" or "White Mahogany" due to its grain pattern. With stain this can look very similar to Sapele and Mahogany.
Common Applications: Antiaris is perfect for veneer, plywood and paneling, as well as furniture components, joinery, and finished furniture.
Characteristics/Appearance: The wood is whitish or light yellow-brown with no distinction between heartwood and sapwood. Medium texture with interlocked grain. High luster. Works easily with hand and machine tools and can glue and nail well.
Janka Hardness Scale: 500 lb_f (see chart on page 56)
Comments: A very abundant African wood specifically valued for its light color and ability to absorb stain. Should not be used in exterior applications without chemical treatment.
Spotlight On: Greenheart
Species: Ocotea rodiaei
Origin: Central America and Latin America
Common Applications: Pool cues and other turnings, boat building, marine construction, as well as general construction (flooring, handrails, joinery, crane mats, railroad cross-ties).
Characteristics/Appearance: The heartwood is a pale olive green color with dark streaks reddish brown and darkens upon exposure. The sapwood is not distinctive from the heartwood. The grain is generally straight grained. This species is very high density, resulting in a very hard wood. It has a very high shock resistance, excellent crushing strength and a high density.
Janka Hardness Scale: 2,530 lb_f (see chart on page 56)
Comments: Besides being a pretty wood, Greenheart ranks second only to Teak in its natural resistance to marine borers and other insects attacks. It is a durable wood and suitable for exterior use, even untreated. It is highly resistant to decay, termites, fire and marine organisms. Greenheart is available in very large sizes and long lengths.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Greenheart wood commonly used for?+
Greenheart is used for pool cues and other turnings, boat building, marine construction, and general construction including flooring, handrails, joinery, crane mats, and railroad cross-ties. It is also recommended for decking, exterior siding, and rainscreens.
How resistant is Greenheart to marine borers and decay?+
Greenheart ranks second only to Teak in its natural resistance to marine borers and insect attacks. It is highly resistant to decay, termites, fire, and marine organisms, and is suitable for exterior use even untreated.
What is the Janka hardness of Greenheart?+
Greenheart has a Janka hardness of 2,530 lb_f, making it a very hard, high-density wood with excellent shock resistance and crushing strength.
Why is Antiaris called White Sapele or White Mahogany?+
Antiaris is known as White Sapele or White Mahogany because of its grain pattern. When stained, it can look very similar to Sapele and Mahogany.
Can Antiaris be used in exterior applications?+
Antiaris should not be used in exterior applications without chemical treatment. It is best suited for veneer, plywood, paneling, furniture components, joinery, and finished furniture.
What does Boxwood (Phyllostylon rhamnoides) look like and where does it come from?+
Boxwood, also called Cuta or San Domingo, originates from South America, Central America, and Mexico. Its heartwood is lemon-yellow, occasionally with dark streaks, with a fine uniform texture and fairly straight grain.
What is Boxwood used for?+
Boxwood is used for flooring, decking, and construction, as well as highly customized musical instrument parts. It is very durable, highly resistant to insect attack, and easy to work with and carve.