Cuchi Caspi
Scientific name: Aspidosperma excelsum
Overview
Cuchi Caspi is a massive tropical hardwood native to the Amazon Basin, where it grows throughout Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and neighboring countries. A member of the Apocynaceae family, Aspidosperma excelsum is one of the largest species in the genus, with the specific epithet excelsum meaning “tall” or “lofty.” Towering above much of the surrounding rainforest canopy, it produces a dense, durable hardwood that has long been valued for heavy construction and demanding structural applications.
The wood is known for its excellent strength, moderate to high density, and natural resistance to decay. Although it lacks the dramatic colors of some tropical hardwoods, Cuchi Caspi is respected throughout South America for its reliability, durability, and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Outside its native range, it remains relatively uncommon but is appreciated by specialty hardwood suppliers and collectors seeking lesser-known Amazonian species.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Cuchi Caspi
- Scientific Name: Aspidosperma excelsum
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft (30–46 m) tall, 3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 52 lbs/ft³ (835 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 2,150 lbf
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
The heartwood ranges from pale yellowish-brown to medium brown, sometimes developing a subtle olive or golden cast with age. Sapwood is lighter in color and usually well defined from the heartwood. Grain is generally straight but may occasionally display slight interlocking, producing attractive ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. The texture is fine to medium with a natural satin-like luster.
Key identification traits include:
- Light to medium brown heartwood
- Pale yellowish sapwood
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Fine to medium texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Excellent strength and durability
- Occasional ribbon figure on quarter-sawn lumber
Working Properties
Despite its density, Cuchi Caspi machines relatively well with sharp carbide tooling. Interlocked grain may occasionally produce minor tear-out during planing, but the wood turns, sands, and finishes to an attractive surface. Pre-drilling is recommended before fastening due to its hardness.
- Machines well with carbide tooling
- Moderately difficult due to density
- Interlocked grain may produce minor tear-out
- Turns well
- Sands to a smooth finish
- Glues satisfactorily with proper preparation
- Excellent holding strength for fasteners
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause mild skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard woodworking safety practices, including dust collection and respiratory protection, are recommended when machining or sanding this species.
Common Uses
Its excellent strength, durability, and stability make Cuchi Caspi suitable for a wide variety of demanding applications, including:
- Heavy construction
- Structural timbers
- Bridge construction
- Marine construction
- Exterior joinery
- Heavy flooring
- Industrial equipment
- Truck beds
- Utility poles
- Fine woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Cuchi Caspi grows throughout the Amazon rainforest, where responsible forest management is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. While Aspidosperma excelsum is not among the most heavily exported tropical hardwoods, sustainable harvesting practices remain important to ensure long-term availability.
Several species within the Aspidosperma genus are harvested under similar regional trade names, making proper botanical identification important for collectors, researchers, and wood suppliers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Quebracho Blanco – Another exceptionally durable South American hardwood valued for heavy-duty structural applications.
Leopardwood – Shares a South American origin but is primarily valued for its striking figure rather than structural performance.
Jatoba – A dense tropical hardwood with similar durability and strength that is widely used for flooring, heavy construction, and fine woodworking.
Related Guides
Wood Movement: Why Wood Expands and Contracts – Learn how seasonal moisture changes affect hardwood stability and construction projects.
Best Woods for Outdoor Use – Explore the characteristics that make certain hardwoods well suited for exterior construction and demanding environments.
Plantation vs. Wild Harvested Timber – Understand the differences between plantation-grown lumber and responsibly harvested tropical hardwoods from natural forests.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Cuchi Caspi is an excellent specimen for collectors interested in South American hardwoods and the diverse Aspidosperma genus. Its attractive grain, impressive density, and importance throughout the Amazon make it a valuable educational addition to any documented collection. Recording the scientific name, country of origin, supplier, and acquisition date helps preserve the specimen’s long-term scientific and historical value.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.