Pau Mulato
Scientific name: Calycophyllum spruceanum
Overview
Pau Mulato, sometimes called Mulatto Wood or Capirona, is a distinctive South American hardwood native to Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and other regions of the Amazon Basin. The species is particularly known for its smooth, peeling bark, which sheds regularly and gives the tree a striking appearance in the forest.
The wood is valued for its durability, stability, and attractive appearance. Pau Mulato has become increasingly popular for flooring, furniture, decking, and architectural applications where both performance and aesthetics are important. Its combination of strength, workability, and natural resistance to wear makes it one of the more versatile hardwoods native to the Amazon region.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Pau Mulato
- Scientific Name: Calycophyllum spruceanum
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 50 lbs/ft³
- Janka Hardness: 1,790 lbf
- Color: Light brown to reddish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Pau Mulato typically exhibits a warm brown appearance with subtle grain patterns and a smooth, refined texture. The wood often develops an attractive natural luster when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Light brown to reddish-brown heartwood
- Fine to medium texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Moderate natural luster
- Uniform appearance
- Good dimensional stability
Working Properties
Pau Mulato is generally considered a user-friendly hardwood that machines and finishes well.The wood’s balance of density and workability makes it suitable for a wide variety of woodworking applications.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Sands smoothly
- Turns well
- Glues satisfactorily
- Accepts finishes readily
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
No significant toxicity concerns have been widely reported for Pau Mulato. Standard dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended when machining or sanding any hardwood species.
Common Uses
Pau Mulato is used in both decorative and structural applications.
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior millwork
- Decking
- Doors and windows
- Veneer
- Turned objects
- Architectural woodworking
- General construction
Sustainability & Notes
Pau Mulato is harvested throughout portions of the Amazon Basin and remains an important commercial timber. The species is also planted in some areas due to its relatively fast growth and desirable wood properties.
Its attractive appearance and dependable performance have helped increase its popularity in international hardwood markets over recent decades.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cedrinho – Another versatile South American hardwood valued for its balance of workability, stability, and utility.
Curari – A durable tropical hardwood commonly used in furniture, flooring, and general woodworking applications.
Garapa – A popular South American hardwood known for its strength, durability, and outdoor performance.
Related Guides
Best Woods for Outdoor Use – Explore hardwood species that perform well in decking, exterior construction, and other demanding outdoor environments.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained – Learn how changes in moisture affect wood stability and why proper acclimation is important for long-term performance.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species – Discover how different finishes influence appearance, protection, and durability on tropical hardwoods.
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
Pau Mulato is an excellent collector species because it represents one of the more commercially important hardwoods of the Amazon Basin while also possessing attractive visual characteristics. Collectors often appreciate the species for its connection to the distinctive Capirona tree, known for its smooth peeling bark, as well as its balance of beauty, durability, and utility.
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.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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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.
Related Tools & Products:
• Gorilla All Purpose Wood Filler, Natural Finish (16 oz) for filling cracks, holes, gouges, and imperfections before sanding, staining, or painting woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/3R3eCCg
• DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Anti-Fog Safety Goggles for protecting your eyes from sawdust, wood chips, and flying debris during cutting, sanding, and routing
https://amzn.to/4uTlqQZ
• WORKPRO Folding Roller Stand with Adjustable Height for supporting long boards, plywood, and lumber during table saw, miter saw, and woodworking operations
https://amzn.to/4eKR2lO
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