Trada puts new species online

As part of an ongoing market research project with hardwood suppliers, TRADA has expanded its species database with the addition of four more commercially available species - angelim, koto, red louro and sucupira.

Now 12 of the 20 species being researched have been added to the TRADA database and the others will follow when the relevant technical information has been checked and collated. Many of the new timbers come with FSC or other chain of custody certification but buyers are always advised to check with suppliers.

*Angelim

The centre of distribution is the upland rain forests of the central and eastern parts of the Brazilian Amazon region, extending northwards into the Guianas and Venezuela and southward to Rio de Janerio. The heartwood is pale brown when fresh, darkening on exposure, and the wood has a small partridge-wing type figure. It is suitable for cladding, decking, furniture, exterior/interior joinery and wharf onstruction.

*Koto

Found in the rain forests of Nigeria and Cameroun, there is no distinction between the sapwood and heartwood of this cream timber, deemed similar to European ash in most strength properties. Its main uses are for interior joinery and plywood manufacture.

*Red louro

This hardwood grows in Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, the lower regions of Brazil and also in Trinidad. The heartwood is deep salmon red when freshly cut, becoming a light reddish-brown when dried, resembling Honduras mahogany. It is easy to wrok and is suitable for furniture, cladding, exterior/interior joinery, decking, mouldings and turnery.

*Sucupira

Found mainly in Brazil where it is abundant in northern and eastern parts of the country, this reddish-brown hardwood has high strength properties similar to greenheart. It is suitable therefore for heavy structural use, but also for veneer and furniture manufacture.