Guatambu (Botanical: Balfourodendron riedelianum)

Guatambu Characteristics

The wood is usually compared with Hard Maple for workability; however Guatambu is more yellow. Generally straight grain, dense with fine, uniform texture that works beautifully and even carves like a charm. Can be worked without much difficulty. Excellent turning wood. Very strong with excellent wear properties.

Color Range

Cream to lemon yellow.

Other Names

Guatambu, Guatambu blanco, Ivorywood, Marfim, Pau liso, Pau marfim

Some Typical Uses

Bent Parts, Boat building, Bobbins, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Handles, Hatracks, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling , Parquet flooring, Plywood, Radio, stereo, TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Shuttles, Spindles, Spools, Stair rails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Sub-flooring, Tables , Textile equipment, Tool handles, Turnery, Utility furniture, Veneer, Wainscotting, Wardrobes, Woodwork

What's the Tree Like?

With a maximum height of about 80 feet and diameters up to 30'', the tree is not large. It produces a well formed bole up to 30 feet.

Guatambu grows in

Southern Brazil, Paraguay.