Exotic, Exquisite, Simply Striking

Build with TigerWood, and you may come away with one of the most spectacular decks you will ever see. The raw honey-oak color of this special hardwood quickly transforms in the sunlight to a rich reddish orange, laced with dark veins resembling the stripes of a tiger—and giving this wood its name.

A very heavy material, TigerWood possesses high shock resistance and low retractability. With its fine, straight grain, the risk of distortion or checking is minimal, making it ideally suited for swimming pool or hot tub surrounds. As for beauty? This is one choice that could easily make you the envy of the neighborhood.

We’re proud to add that TigerWood is harvested using the most up to date, environmentally responsible sustained-yield forestry techniques.

Natural Durability

TigerWood is the perfect choice for outdoor living areas. Like other Brazilian hardwoods, it’s equipped with natural defenses against rot, fungi, and termites. Thanks to its natural oil resins, it’s virtually impermeable, resisting even pressure-treatment. Of course, TigerWood is so thoroughly durable that it doesn’t need it.

Easy Maintenance

TigerWood should be equipped with a wood-stabilizing agent before it’s exposed to sunlight. Simply store any untreated pieces under a tarp, and apply the sunscreen during or after installation. We suggest using two coats of a high quality finish. For best results, reapply it annually, or as needed—and that’s all there is to it!

 

Dry and Shrinkage
Moderately difficult to season. Some crook and bow accompanied by a slight tendency to twist, slight checking. Air-dries at a fast to moderate rate. A kiln schedule similar to T3-C2 has been suggested. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.0%; tangential 7.6%; volumetric 10.0%; slightly higher for Brazilian material.

Working Properties
The wood is not difficult to work with, though some have found it difficult to glue. Despite its high density, it finishes very smoothly and takes a high polish.

Durability
Laboratory tests indicate the heartwood to be very resistant to both white-rot and brown-rot organisms. These results substantiate its high durability. It also weathers well and is highly resistant to moisture absorption.
 

Preservation
Using either hot and cold bath or pressure-vacuum systems, the sapwood absorbs only 2 to 4 pcf of preserving oils. The heartwood absorbs 1/2 of this amount.

Uses
This species is among the most outstanding, heavy, durable construction timbers. It is also highly favored as a fine furniture and cabinet wood, and is sometimes cut for decorative veneers. It can also be used for specialty items such as knife handles, brush backs, archery bows, and billiard cue butts, as well as for turnery and carving.

About TigerWood Decking
(Anacardiaceae)
 

Botanical Information

Other Common Names:
Palo de cera, Palo de culebra (Mexico), Gusanero (Colombia), Gateado (Venezuela), Guaritá (Brazil), Guasango (Ecuador).

Distribution
Goncalo Alves is a common tree in the upland forest of many regions, from Mexico and Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Ecuador.

The Tree
The tree attains diameters of 24 to 40 inches or more, with a maximum height of 120 ft. Except for narrow buttress roots 4 to 6 ft. tall, it has a clear cylindrical trunk for 2/3 or more of its height. The logs are typically sound throughout.

General Characteristics
When fresh, the heartwood is russet brown, orange-brown, reddish brown, or red, with irregular, narrow to wide stripes colored medium to very dark brown. After exposure, it becomes brown, red, or dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes. The dingy grayish or brownish-white sapwood, 2 to 4 inches wide, is sharply demarcated. The wood often possesses a striking figure caused by irregular dark horizontal bands. The grain is straight to roey; the texture, uniform and fine to medium. It has no distinctive odor or taste.

Weight
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) averages 0.84 for timber from Honduras and Venezuela; material from Brazil and Colombia averages 0.75. Average air-dry density is about 60 pcf from these four sources.