Massaranduba – Hardwood lumber products

Massaranduba (Manilkara Bidentata spp).

  • Massaranduba being hand inspected and stacked for export.
  • Massaranduba being prepped for export.
  • Massaranduba dimensional lumber.
  • Massaranduba pre-grooved decking.

Common names include bulletwood, Brazilian redwood, or massa and is a wood of high density but will remain easy to work. Most often used as decking or flooring it does respond to steam bending better than most other Brazilian hardwoods. With a straight grain which can have an almost purplish hue this is a wood that has a distinctive look. Though its heartwood often is a shade of purple, Manilkara bidentata is sometimes confused with another tropical tree widely known as “purpleheart”. Our wholesale mill produces both FSC certified  and non-fsc massaranduba. We have massaranduba in decking, flooring, dimensional lumber, E4E, S4S, RS (Rough Sawn), deck tiles, and table slabs.

Massaranduba - Hardwood lumber products massaranduba decking board
Massaranduba Decking
Brazilian Redwood Decking
california redwood decking
California Redwood Decking
“Traditional” Redwood Decking
Appearance Red to dark reddish brown. Straight grained and smooth. The color can be preserved using annual applications of a UV inhibiting deck oil. Varies considerably depending on grade. Color ranges from brownish-pink to reddish brown. This is a softwood that will requiring staining if you want it to have a color.
Durability Massaranduba is a hard, heavy wood. Very resistant to decay and termites. Average lifespan of 30+ years Higher cost grades are more durable than most. Quick to weather and split. Treatment is required.
Strength (Load Capacity) Over 2x stronger than California Redwood (29,200 psi) 10,000 psi
Hardness Over 7x harder than California Redwood (3,190 Janka Hardness) 420 Janka Hardness
Maintenance Very low maintenance with an average lifespan of 30+ years. Periodic staining and board replacement my be required depending on age, climate and use.

Common Name:

Bulletwood, Balatá, Brazilian redwood ausubo, massaranduba, and sometimes even “cow-tree”

Botanical Name:

Manilkara Bidentata spp.

Indigenous to:

Large area of northern South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Modulus of Rupture:

27,870 lbf/in2 (192.2 MPa)

Shrinkage:

Radial: 6.7%, Tangential: 9.4%, Volumetric: 16.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

How is it dried:

kiln-dried (KD)

Is it dried quickly:

No – Note: Surface drying prior to kiln drying is recommended.

Stability:

Moderately Stable

Exterior Wood Recommendation:

Use class ensured by natural durability: class 4 – in ground or fresh water contact
Species covering the use class 5: Yes This species naturally covers the use class 5 (end-uses in marine environment or in brackish water) due to its high specific gravity and hardness.Against dry wood borer attacks: does not require any preservative treatment
In case of risk of temporary humidification: does not require any preservative treatment
In case of risk of permanent humidification: does not require any preservative treatment

Fastening Method:

Nailing / screwing: Good but pre-drilling is necessary
Gluing: Correct (for interior only)
Note: Gluing requires care (very dense wood).

Ecosystem impact:

This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Toxicity and allergic reactions:

Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Massaranduba has been occasionally reported to cause minor skin irritation.

Odor:

No characteristic odor.

Products we manufacture using this species:

decking, flooring, dimensional lumber, E4E, S4S, RS (Rough Sawn), deck tiles, and table slabs.

Other common uses:

Hydraulic works (fresh water) Bridges (parts in contact with water or ground)
Sleepers Poles
Stakes Wood frame house
Sliced veneer Stringed instruments (bow)
Ship building (planking and deck) Arched goods
Sculpture Tool handles (resilient woods)
Turned goods Shingles
Industrial or heavy flooring Heavy carpentry
Stairs (inside) Current furniture or furniture components
Bridges (parts not in contact with water or ground)
Note: In Brazil, M. elata and M. longifolia are used for pulpwood.

Susceptibility to

Dry Wood borers:

Class 1 – very durable

Fungi:

Durable – sapwood demarcated (risk limited to sapwood)

Termites:

Class D – durable

Treatability:

Class 1 – easily permeable

Janka Hardness:

  • 3190 lbf (29,290 N)