Wallaba

Origin	Guyanas (Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana), South America
Bulk density	0.83-0.92 g/cm³
Durability class	1
Compressive strength	72-77 N/mm²
Flexural strength	120-140 N/mm²
Differential shrinkage (radial)	0,11-0,13 %
Differential shrinkage (tangential)	0,29-0,31 %
Wood color	light to dark reddish brown or violet brown
Wood structure	Straight grain, rarely slightly alternating grain
Application	typical structural timber in exterior construction for applications subject to high mechanical and biological loads

Eperua (Wallaba), a genus with 16 species, is mainly used for timber production by E. falcata, accompanied by lesser use of E. grandiflora, E. rubiginosa and E. schomburgkiana. These species are mainly native to the Guyanas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana). The heavy and durable construction timber is mainly processed locally and currently only has a small export share to Europe. Eperua falcata (Wallaba), an evergreen tree up to 40 meters tall and with a trunk diameter of over 80 centimetres, is characterized by a spreading crown and brownish-grey, slightly rough-scaly bark. In addition to its importance in the timber industry, the tree also produces a reddish gum known as wallaba gum.

Wallaba, with Eperua falcata as the main species used, impresses with its heartwood with different shades of red, clearly set off from the gray-brown sapwood. Visible resin channels in tangential bands and intensive resin outflow, which creates dark stripes on the wood surface, are striking. The wood is homogeneous, medium-textured and of high density, with subtle veining on tangential surfaces. Fresh wood is difficult to work with due to the hard wood and resin, whereas dry wood is easy to work with. Drying requires care in order to minimize deformation and cracking. Heartwood of E. falcata is very resistant to wood-destroying fungi and termites. Wallaba is used as structural timber in exterior construction, especially for bridges, locks, floating docks, hydraulic engineering, sewage treatment plants and noise barriers. The stalked leaves are pinnate, with leaflets of 4-6 pieces, while the wood is also used medicinally for bark and gum.

Sources: Holz vom Fach (GD Holz), Wikipedia