Blunting effect - on cutting edges is reported to be moderate.
Cutting resistance - Very difficult to saw.
Distribution - The species is reported to be distributed widely from Colombia to Bolivia, the Guianas, and southeastern Brazil. It is described as ecologically diverse, especially in the Brazilian mata atlanica. It is reported to occur mostly in more or less seasonal forests on well-drained lateritic soils in the Amazons, but also grows on richer or sandy soils and even into the cerrado in sub-Amazonian Brazil. The tree is usually found near sea level up to an elevation of 3940 feet (1200 m).
Drying defects - Slight warping, cupping, twisting, and end-surface checking may occur during drying. A slow kiln-drying schedule is recommended.
Ease of drying - The wood drys without too much difficulty, in spite of its high density.
Environmental profile - The species is rather widespread, abundant, and secure globally, although it may be quite rare in parts of its range.
Gluing - Surface preparation is usually required for best gluing results.
Grain - Straight to very irregular.
Heartwood color - The heartwood is olive-brown in color, with lighter or darker streaks. The pored themselves will often appear as fine yellow dots, or as longitudinal lines. Wood surfaces are reported to be often covered with a yellow powder.
Luster - is low to medium
Moulding - A reduced cutting angle is 15 degrees is recommended for best moulding results.
Nailing - The wood is hard and requires to be pre-bored.
Natural durability - The heartwood is very resistant to decay and attack by termites. It is rated as resistant to attack by dry wood insects but susceptible to marine borer attack.
Odor - No characteristic odor or taste
Painting - The wood is difficult to paint. Surface preparation to remove yellowish lapachol powder may improve painting qualities.
Planing - The material is fairly difficult to plane and work in most operations. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best planing results.
Polishing - Occasionally yellowish, powdery deposits of lapachol may interfere with polishing but the wood generally, polishes well.
Response to hand tools - The material responds poorly to hand tools.
Sanding - The wood responds easily to sanding operations.
Sapwood color - The clearly distinct sapwood is yellowish white or whitish in color.
Screwing - The wood has good screw-holding characteristics.
Staining - Takes stain well.
Steam bending - Difficult to steam bend.
Texture - Fine to medium with an oily appearance.
Toxic constituents - The yellowish sawdust (Lapachol) from machining operations is reported to cause skin irritation in some individuals.
Turning - The material works with some difficulty, but can be finished smoothly except in heavily interlocked material. Properties in turning, boring, and sanding are rated as good.
Varnishing - Powdery deposits of lapacho may make varnishing difficult.