Wood Species Guide
Greenheart
Chlorocardium rodiei (syn. Ocotea rodiei)
Also called: Demerara Greenheart, Bebeeru, Sipiroeballi
What Greenheart looks like
Heartwood is olive green to yellowish green, often streaked darker, and it darkens toward brown with exposure. The sapwood is paler and not always distinct.
Grain and texture
Grain is straight to interlocked, with a fine, even texture and a soft luster.
Working Greenheart: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard on blades and prone to tearout where the grain interlocks, so use sharp carbide and light final passes. Gluing can be unreliable on dense pieces; wipe with acetone first. It turns and finishes well.
Finishing Greenheart: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes, but it is dense, so use thin coats. For epoxy, acetone wipe and a thin seal coat first. The green tone shifts toward brown with UV, faster outdoors.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
One of the best woods in the world for marine work: very resistant to rot, insects and marine borers. In Florida it is a top choice for docks, seawall caps and boat parts.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Greenheart is a marine timber first: dock framing, pilings, lock gates and boat parts. In the shop it shows up as fishing rod and pool cue stock and as heavy outdoor lumber. Take dust and splinters seriously with this one. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Greenheart
Docks, piers, pilings, boatbuilding, heavy marine construction, fishing rods, pool cues and turned items.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN lists it as Data Deficient; an earlier Vulnerable listing was disputed and replaced.
Safety and toxicity
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Respiratory / asthma
- Skin irritation
- Splinters prone to infection
Greenheart is a well-known sensitizer, and wheezing, throat irritation and skin rashes are reported. Splinters often turn septic, so clean and dress them right away.
- In the shop
- Full precautions: dust extraction, respirator, gloves and long sleeves; treat splinters promptly
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Greenheart is a known sensitizer. Breathing problems, severe throat irritation and skin reactions are reported, and splinters tend to get infected. Use extraction, a respirator and gloves, and treat splinters promptly.
Greenheart in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Greenheart 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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