Wood Species Guide

Ipe

Handroanthus spp. (formerly Tabebuia), mainly H. serratifolius

Also called: Brazilian Walnut, Lapacho, Pau d'Arco, Tahuari, Ironwood (trade name)

Ipe is the go-to tropical hardwood for decks and docks: extremely hard, heavy and naturally resistant to rot and insects. It shrugs off Florida weather but is tough to cut, glue and fasten.
ImportHardwoodTeak & Teak Alternatives
Good forOutdoor & Rot-ResistantCITES-Restricted

About the name “Ipe”

Ipe is sold as Brazilian walnut and ironwood, but both names are shared: Brazilian walnut can also mean imbuia, and ironwood covers many species.

What Ipe looks like

Olive brown to dark reddish brown, often with darker streaks. Boards vary a lot within one bundle. Left outside, it weathers to a silver gray.

Grain and texture

Fine to medium texture with straight to irregular, often interlocked grain.

Working Ipe: planing, cutting and gluing

Very hard and dense. It dulls tools quickly and needs carbide blades, predrilled holes for every fastener, and patience. Glue joints can be weak because of natural extractives, so wipe with acetone and use epoxy or polyurethane glue for anything critical. The fine yellow dust is irritating, so wear a respirator.

Finishing Ipe: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Outdoors, most people use a penetrating deck oil or let it go gray. Indoors it takes oil and hardwax oil well, but it is so dense that very little soaks in, so wipe off the excess. Epoxy and film finishes need a clean, acetone-wiped surface.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

One of the most decay- and insect-resistant woods available, and very resistant to wear. It is a top pick for Florida decks, docks and outdoor benches. End-seal cut ends to slow checking in sun and rain.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Ipe is an outdoor wood first: decking, dock boards, lanai benches and outdoor table tops. Published hardness numbers for ipe range from about 3,500 to 3,700 lbf, which puts it near the top of common woods. Use stainless fasteners near salt water. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.

Common uses for Ipe

Decking, docks, boardwalks, outdoor furniture, siding, flooring, tool handles.

Sustainability and CITES status

Ipe species (Handroanthus, along with Tabebuia and Roseodendron) were added to CITES Appendix II at CoP19, effective November 25, 2024, covering logs, sawn wood, veneer, plywood and transformed wood. Buy from suppliers who can show export permits.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating HighWhat the ratings mean
  • Skin irritation
  • Respiratory / asthma
  • Eye irritation
  • Nausea or headache

Ipe dust carries lapachol and related compounds that are strong irritants. Rashes, eye and airway irritation, headaches and even blurred vision have been reported.

In the shop
Full precautions: dust extraction, respirator, gloves and long sleeves
Food contact
Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

The dust contains lapachol and related compounds that can irritate skin, eyes and lungs. Use dust collection and a respirator.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Ipe in stock now

Ask us. We can often source it.

We don't have Ipe 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.

Call (239) 331-5925 Book a slab & lumber visit

Similar woods: Teak & Teak Alternatives

See the Teak & Teak Alternatives group guide

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