Angelim Pedra
Scientific name: Hymenolobium petraeum
Overview
Angelim Pedra is a very dense South American hardwood valued for its strength, durability, and resistance to wear. Native to Central and South America, it is most commonly used in heavy-duty structural and industrial applications.
Often compared to other high-density tropical hardwoods, Angelim Pedra is known for its toughness and long service life rather than decorative figure, making it a practical choice where performance is the primary requirement.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Angelim Pedra
- Scientific Name: Hymenolobium petraeum
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Brazil & Northern South America)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft³ (995 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 3,160 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to medium brown, sometimes with darker streaks
- Grain: Typically interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Angelim Pedra is identified by its generally uniform brown coloration and heavy weight. The grain is typically straight but may show interlock, and the texture is coarser than many decorative hardwoods.
Sapwood is usually lighter in color and clearly distinct from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Light to medium brown heartwood
- Open pore structure
- Medium to coarse texture
- Very high density and weight
Working Properties
Angelim Pedra is difficult to work due to its density and hardness, requiring proper tooling and preparation.
- Requires sharp carbide tooling
- Pre-drilling recommended for fasteners
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Sands slowly
- Very good dimensional stability
Its hardness makes machining demanding, but finished components are extremely durable.
Safety Note
Dust from Angelim Pedra may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Angelim Pedra is commonly used in heavy-duty and structural applications, including:
- Beams and posts
- Industrial flooring
- Heavy-duty decking
- Bridges and boardwalks
- Structural and load-bearing components
It is typically selected where strength and longevity are more important than appearance.
Sustainability & Notes
Angelim Pedra is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. However, responsible sourcing is encouraged due to its use in large-scale construction.
Buyers should seek suppliers that provide documentation of legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cumaru – Another extremely dense South American hardwood often used in decking and heavy construction, though typically darker and harder than Angelim Pedra.
Garapa – A durable tropical hardwood used for outdoor applications and decking, usually lighter in color with a more uniform grain.
Ipe – One of the most well-known South American hardwoods for exterior use, valued for its exceptional hardness and natural resistance to decay.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain structure and color variation can help distinguish dense tropical hardwoods used in outdoor construction.
Working With Dense Exotic Hardwoods
Many tropical hardwoods require sharp tooling and slower machining speeds due to their density and hardness.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Collectors preserve hardwood samples to study grain patterns, color variation, and long-term aging characteristics.
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
Angelim Pedra is less commonly collected for fine woodworking due to its coarse texture and hardness. Collectors and specialty users tend to value well-seasoned material for structural or outdoor projects rather than decorative use.
Older, fully acclimated stock is often preferred, as it machines more predictably and exhibits greater stability. Proper storage helps minimize checking and surface degradation.
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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.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive.
In the future, visitors will be able to support the preservation of hardwood knowledge and global forest conservation through the Adopt a Species program.
A portion of contributions will help fund the continued expansion of this archive, while the majority will be donated to forest conservation organizations working to protect the ecosystems where these species grow.
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.
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