Aroeira
Scientific name: Myracrodruon urundeuva
Overview
Aroeira is a dense tropical and subtropical hardwood native to South America, particularly Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Myracrodruon urundeuva belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, which also contains several other commercially and botanically important tropical trees.
The heartwood generally ranges from golden brown and reddish brown to deep chocolate brown, often becoming darker with age and exposure. Sapwood is considerably paler and usually clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Grain is typically straight to interlocked, while texture ranges from fine to medium.
Aroeira is exceptionally hard, heavy, strong, and naturally durable. These properties have historically made the wood desirable for heavy construction, posts, beams, bridges, railroad ties, flooring, exterior structures, and other demanding applications. Its durability also contributed to heavy exploitation in portions of its natural range, making responsible sourcing particularly important.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Aroeira
- Alternate Common Names: Urundeúva, Aroeira-do-Sertão
- Scientific Name: Myracrodruon urundeuva
- Region: South American Woods
- Tree Size: Approximately 40–80 ft (12–24 m) tall, occasionally larger depending on growing conditions
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 60–70 lbs/ft³ (960–1,120 kg/m³), with natural variation
- Janka Hardness: Very hard; published species-specific values vary according to source and testing methodology
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Aroeira generally produces golden-brown, reddish-brown, or medium to dark brown heartwood. Mature material can develop rich chocolate-brown coloration and darker streaking as it ages.
Sapwood is generally cream to pale yellowish brown and contrasts noticeably with the darker heartwood. Grain is commonly straight but may become interlocked or irregular.
The wood’s substantial weight is itself a useful physical characteristic when comparing a sample with lighter hardwoods.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden to reddish-brown heartwood
- Darkens toward deeper brown with age
- Pale cream to yellowish sapwood
- Strong heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Fine to medium texture
- Very heavy and dense character
Working Properties
Aroeira can be difficult to machine because of its exceptional density and hardness. Cutting resistance is high, and prolonged machining can accelerate tool wear.
Sharp carbide tooling is recommended for demanding operations. Interlocked grain may produce tear-out during planing, while the density of the wood makes pre-drilling particularly important before installing screws or nails.
Once properly surfaced, the wood can develop an exceptionally smooth and attractive finish.
- High cutting resistance
- Carbide tooling is beneficial
- Can cause significant tool wear
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Turns well with appropriate equipment
- Sands and polishes attractively
- Pre-drilling is strongly recommended
Safety Note
Aroeira belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, a group containing species capable of producing biologically active compounds and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Contact with wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation, and susceptible woodworkers should exercise additional caution.
Effective dust extraction, respiratory protection, eye protection, and appropriate skin protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Its exceptional hardness, strength, durability, and resistance to wear make Aroeira suitable for demanding applications including:
- Heavy construction
- Posts and poles
- Beams
- Bridges
- Railroad ties
- Flooring
- Exterior structures
- Heavy-duty furniture
- Agricultural structures
- Specialty woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Aroeira has historically been highly valued because of its exceptional durability and resistance to deterioration. These same qualities contributed to substantial harvesting pressure across portions of its natural range.
The species occurs in several South American ecosystems, including seasonally dry forests, Cerrado environments, and other woodland habitats.
Habitat conversion, selective harvesting, agricultural expansion, and historical exploitation have affected populations in some regions. Legal harvesting requirements and conservation status can therefore vary geographically.
Responsible sourcing is particularly important. Buyers should favor traceable material from legal forestry operations, managed sources, documented salvage, or other verifiable origins.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Quebracho Colorado – An exceptionally dense South American hardwood valued for extreme hardness, durability, heavy construction, and industrial applications.
Sucupira Preta – A dense, dark South American hardwood valued for flooring, furniture, construction, and other demanding applications.
Palo Santo – A dense South American hardwood known for exceptional durability and providing another useful comparison among heavy, naturally durable regional timbers.
Related Guides
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
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Wood Toxicity and Allergies Guide
Learn about potential skin, eye, and respiratory reactions associated with wood dust and naturally occurring compounds.
FSC Certification Explained
Explore how forest certification and documented sourcing can help identify timber originating from responsibly managed 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
Aroeira is particularly interesting for collectors because its considerable density can be immediately apparent when handling even a relatively small specimen.
Samples showing the transition from pale sapwood into rich reddish or dark brown heartwood can be especially educational. A documented specimen can also illustrate the relationship between exceptional natural durability and the historical harvesting pressure experienced by highly valued timber species.
Collector specimens should retain the scientific name Myracrodruon urundeuva, geographic origin, acquisition date, source, and any available legal or sustainability documentation.
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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.
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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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