Copaiba
Scientific name: Copaifera reticulata
Overview
Copaiba is a medium to heavy South American hardwood native to the Amazon basin and surrounding tropical regions. It is known for its warm reddish-brown coloration, durability, and natural oil content.
The tree is also widely recognized for producing copaiba oil, which has traditional uses in medicine and industrial applications. As a lumber species, it is valued for its strength, stability, and resistance to decay.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Copaiba
- Scientific Name: Copaifera reticulata
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Amazon Basin)
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 2–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 52 lbs/ft³ (835 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,930 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to dark brown
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Copaiba is identified by its reddish-brown color and moderately coarse texture, often with a slightly oily feel due to its natural resin content.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish-brown heartwood
- Occasional oily or resinous feel
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium texture
Working Properties
Copaiba is generally workable but can present minor challenges due to its oil content.
- Moderate machining difficulty
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Natural oils may affect gluing
- Finishes well with proper surface preparation
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
Dust may cause irritation. Some individuals may be sensitive to the natural oils, so protective equipment is recommended.
Common Uses
Copaiba is commonly used where durability and stability are required.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Interior and exterior joinery
- General construction
Sustainability & Notes
Copaiba is not listed under CITES. It is widely harvested in South America, and responsible sourcing is recommended due to increasing demand.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Jatoba – Similar strength and reddish coloration with slightly higher density.
Sucupira – Comparable durability with darker tones.
Cumaru – Heavier and more dense, often used in similar applications.
Related Guides
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
Important when working with harder, oil-rich species.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Helps manage oily surfaces for better finishes.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods
Supports long-term stability.
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
Copaiba is a strong representative of medium-to-heavy density South American hardwoods. Its natural oil content and balanced properties make it a useful comparison species alongside Jatoba and Sucupira.
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.