Timber Species
Tatabu

Scientific Name:
Diplotropis purpurea

Family: Papilionacease

ATIBT Standard Name: Coeur Dehors

Other Name: Sucupira, Alcoruoque, Zwarte Kabbes

Wood Appearance: Heartwood dark chocolate brown in colour with conspicuous paler markings, giving a decorative appearance which may be enhanced on quartered surface by a stripe figure.

• Sapwood - whitish, sharply demarcated from heartwood.
• Texture - moderately coarse.
• Grain - interlocked, sometimes irregular.
• Bole - 60-70 feet long, cylinderical; diameter 20-24 inches.

Physical and Mechanical Properties: A heavy, strong, durable wood possessing high strength properties. Medium shrinkage, relatively stable once dry.

• Weight - 935 kg/m3 (58 lb/ft3 ) seasoned.
• Bending Strength -
• Modulus of elasticity -
• Compression parallel to grain -
• Shock resistance -

Natural Durability: Very resistant to decay even under exacting conditions of use. Highly resistant to fungus and termite attack.

Timber Processing

• Drying - Dries readily but slowly, without distortion of splitting.
• Working - Difficult to work on account of its high density and interlocked and irregular grain, but can be finished to a smooth surface. Turns well.
• Assembly - Glues well. Nails and screws hold well.
• Finishing - Polishes satisfactorily after filling.

Uses: Has a decorative appearance and is of interest for turned work and as a veneer for inlays in high grade furniture. Suitable for exterior and interior joinery, turnery, panelling and tool handles. A very useful timber with many applications.

Supplies: Occurs widely but not abundantly in the-Guyana forests. Regular supplies in modest quantities are available.