Timbo
Scientific name: Enterolobium contortisiliquum
Overview
Timbo, sometimes known as Elephant Ear Tree or Pacara Earpod Tree, is a large South American hardwood native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and neighboring regions. The species is recognized for its rapid growth, impressive size, and versatile wood, which is used in furniture making, interior joinery, millwork, and general woodworking applications.
Timbo produces a relatively lightweight to medium-weight hardwood that is easy to work and often selected for projects where stability, availability, and ease of machining are important. Its attractive grain patterns and occasional figure can also make it appealing for decorative applications.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Timbo
- Scientific Name: Enterolobium contortisiliquum
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 30 lbs/ft³
- Janka Hardness: 670 lbf
- Color: Light brown to medium brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Timbo typically displays a warm brown coloration with a relatively uniform appearance. Some boards may exhibit attractive grain patterns or subtle figure that enhance their decorative appeal.
Key identification traits include:
- Light brown to medium brown heartwood
- Moderate weight
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Occasional attractive figure
- Large lumber dimensions often available
Working Properties
Timbo is generally regarded as a pleasant woodworking species that machines and finishes well. Its ease of machining makes it suitable for both commercial production and hobby woodworking projects.
- Machines easily
- Sands smoothly
- Turns well
- Glues effectively
- Accepts stains and finishes readily
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
Some individuals may experience mild irritation from wood dust. Standard dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended when machining or sanding the wood.
Common Uses
Timbo is used across a variety of woodworking and construction applications.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior millwork
- Veneer
- Doors
- Moldings
- Decorative woodworking
- Turned objects
- Plywood
- General woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Timbo is a fast-growing species and is widely distributed throughout portions of South America. Its relatively rapid growth and broad range have contributed to its continued importance as a commercial timber.
Because it can reach impressive dimensions, Timbo is capable of producing large boards and wide lumber that are useful for furniture makers and architectural projects.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Marupa – Another lightweight South American hardwood valued for ease of machining and furniture applications.
Cedrinho – A versatile utility hardwood commonly used for cabinetry, millwork, and general woodworking.
Parica – A lightweight South American species frequently used in plywood, millwork, and interior applications.
Related Guides
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Explore the characteristics that make certain hardwoods suitable for furniture construction and interior woodworking projects.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods – Learn how proper drying and acclimation help improve stability and long-term performance.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained – Understand how moisture changes affect wood and why proper acclimation is important before construction.
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
Timbo is an interesting collector species because it represents one of South America’s larger and more widely distributed utility hardwoods. While it is not known for extreme density or exotic coloration, its impressive tree size, workability, and importance within regional lumber markets make it a valuable addition to a comprehensive South American wood collection.
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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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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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