Wood Species Guide
Cumaru
Dipteryx odorata
Also called: Brazilian Teak, Tonka Bean Tree, Kumaru, Sarrapia, Shihuahuaco
About the name “Cumaru”
Sold as Brazilian teak, but it is not related to true teak; Peruvian shihuahuaco is often the close relative Dipteryx micrantha.
What Cumaru looks like
Light to medium brown with a reddish or purplish cast, sometimes with yellow tones. Color evens out and deepens over time. Weathers to gray outdoors.
Grain and texture
Interlocked grain with a medium texture and a waxy, slightly oily feel.
Working Cumaru: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard, heavy and tough on edges. Interlocked grain tears out on the planer, so keep passes light. Gluing can be difficult because of the natural oils; wipe with acetone first. Predrill all fasteners.
Finishing Cumaru: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Usually oiled or left to weather on decks. Indoors, oil and hardwax oil work well. For epoxy or film finishes, an acetone wipe and a thin seal coat help adhesion.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable against decay and insects, often used as an ipe alternative outdoors. It moves a fair amount with moisture, so allow gaps on decking and acclimate it well for indoor use in Florida.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Cumaru is a budget-friendlier cousin to ipe for decks, docks and outdoor benches. It has a faint vanilla-like smell when cut, from the same tree that gives tonka beans. It can be stringy and splintery on the edges, so ease every corner. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Cumaru
Decking, docks, flooring, outdoor furniture, heavy construction, tool handles.
Sustainability and CITES status
The genus Dipteryx was added to CITES Appendix II at CoP19, effective November 25, 2024, covering logs, sawn wood, veneer, plywood and transformed wood. Buy from suppliers with export permits.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
Few reactions are reported beyond normal wood dust irritation. The wood has a sweet vanilla-like scent from natural coumarin, and its silica dulls tools and makes fine dust.
- In the shop
- Dust collection and a mask when sanding; sharp carbide tooling
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No unusual reactions are widely reported beyond normal wood dust hazards. Use dust collection.
Cumaru in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Cumaru listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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