Massaranduba (Brazilian Redwood)

Massaranduba, sold in North America mostly as "Brazilian Redwood," is a very dense, reddish-brown hardwood from Manilkara bidentata, native to Central and South America — a name with nothing to do with the true redwood (Sequoia) of the US Pacific coast beyond a loosely similar color.

Working Properties

Massaranduba's density is hard on cutting tools and hard on your patience while machining it, but that same density buys real natural decay and insect resistance with zero chemical treatment required — exactly why it's become one of the go-to decking imports as an ipe alternative.

Typical Uses

Decking (its dominant use by a wide margin), plus some exterior construction and heavy-use flooring.