Baru
Scientific name: Dipteryx alata
Overview
Baru is a medium to large tropical hardwood native to central South America, particularly the Cerrado regions of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Dipteryx alata belongs to the Fabaceae family and is closely related to other dense Dipteryx timbers, including Cumaru.
The wood generally ranges from golden brown and medium reddish brown to darker chocolate brown, sometimes displaying contrasting darker streaks. Sapwood is considerably paler and usually clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Grain is generally interlocked or irregular, while texture ranges from medium to moderately coarse.
Baru produces dense, hard, strong wood with excellent resistance to wear. Although the species is particularly well known for its edible seeds, commonly called baru nuts, its timber can be used for heavy construction, flooring, furniture, exterior applications, posts, and other projects requiring substantial strength and durability.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Baru
- Alternate Common Names: Baruzeiro, Cumbaru
- Scientific Name: Dipteryx alata
- Region: South American Woods
- Tree Size: Approximately 50–80 ft (15–24 m) tall, with dimensions varying according to growing conditions
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 55–65 lbs/ft³ (880–1,040 kg/m³), with natural variation
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific values vary and should be interpreted cautiously
- Grain: Interlocked to irregular
- Texture: Medium to moderately coarse
Identification Characteristics
Baru generally produces golden-brown, reddish-brown, or medium to dark brown heartwood. Individual boards may display darker brown or nearly black streaks that increase the decorative character of the wood.
Sapwood is generally cream to pale yellowish brown and contrasts noticeably with the mature heartwood. Grain frequently becomes interlocked or irregular, potentially creating attractive ribbon-like figure on quarter-sawn surfaces.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden to reddish-brown heartwood
- Darker brown streaking may occur
- Pale cream to yellowish sapwood
- Strong heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Interlocked to irregular grain
- Medium to moderately coarse texture
- Dense and heavy character
Working Properties
Baru can be challenging to machine because of its high density, hardness, and frequently interlocked grain. Sharp carbide tooling is beneficial for repeated machining operations.
Interlocked grain can produce tear-out during planing, while the wood’s density increases cutting resistance and tool wear. Pre-drilling is recommended before installing screws or nails.
Despite these challenges, carefully machined material can produce an attractive and highly durable finished surface.
- High cutting resistance
- Sharp carbide tools are recommended
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Turns well with appropriate tooling
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Excellent wear resistance
- Pre-drilling is recommended for fasteners
Safety Note
Detailed species-specific information regarding reactions to Baru wood dust is limited. Dust generated from dense tropical hardwoods may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.
Effective dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during sawing, routing, turning, and sanding.
Common Uses
Its density, hardness, strength, and wear resistance make Baru suitable for demanding applications, including:
- Flooring
- Heavy construction
- Furniture
- Exterior joinery
- Posts
- Beams
- Agricultural structures
- Wood turning
- Heavy-duty woodworking
- Specialty projects
Sustainability & Notes
Baru is strongly associated with the Cerrado, the extensive tropical savanna and woodland ecosystem of central South America. The tree has considerable ecological and economic importance because it provides both useful timber and edible seeds.
Baru nuts have become increasingly recognized as a regional food product, creating an economic use for standing trees that does not require timber harvesting.
The Cerrado has experienced substantial habitat conversion associated with agriculture, ranching, and other land-use changes. Responsible sourcing and conservation of naturally occurring trees are therefore important considerations.
Agroforestry, sustainable seed harvesting, habitat conservation, and responsible forest management can all contribute to maintaining Baru populations while providing economic value to local communities.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cumaru – A closely related Dipteryx hardwood famous for exceptional density, hardness, durability, decking, flooring, and exterior applications.
Sucupira Preta – A dense South American hardwood with dark coloration and excellent wear resistance, providing a useful comparison for demanding applications.
Garapa – A durable South American hardwood with lighter golden coloration and widespread use in decking, flooring, and exterior woodworking.
Related Guides
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
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Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
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Best Woods for Outdoor Use
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Gluing Exotic Woods: Challenges and Solutions
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Understanding Wood Strength: What Makes Wood Strong?
Explore how density, cellular structure, grain orientation, moisture, and other characteristics influence strength and mechanical performance.
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
Baru is particularly interesting for collectors because it represents the distinctive hardwood flora of the South American Cerrado rather than the Amazon rainforest species that dominate many tropical wood collections.
Its considerable weight and rich brown coloration make even relatively small samples physically distinctive. Material with documented Cerrado provenance can provide additional educational value by connecting the specimen with one of South America’s most important and threatened ecosystems.
Collector specimens should retain the scientific name Dipteryx alata, geographic origin, acquisition date, supplier, and any available sourcing information.
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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.
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