Brazilian-walnut, imbuia
Ocotea porosa

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

Also grown as an ornamental tree, Ocotea porosa or Imbuia is highly valued for its timber and commonly harvested from the wild. It is slow-growing but highly exploited, thus now considered to be a 'Vulnerable' species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is a semi-deciduous, natural pioneer which can be used in restoration of native woodland. It grows about 40 m in height and 1.8 m in trunk diameter, with an open and oblong crown and short bole. The wood is fragrant, moderately heavy, hard, and durable, and resistant to dry wood borers, fungi, and termites. Its is used in carpentry, panelling, sleepers, bridges, turnery, etc.

Ocotea porosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 16 m (52ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 18

Where it is found

Araucaria forest and higher elevations in the Atlantic rainforest, favouring secondary formations.

S. America - Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1cd

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Agroforestry Uses: Although slow growing, the tree is a natural pioneer that also provides food for the native fauna. It can be used in planting schemes for the restoration of native woodland. Other Uses The heartwood can be of varied colours, mainly ranging from yellow-brown to a dark brown with irregular, thin, darker layers; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 6cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain straight or interlocked; the surface is irregularly lustrous and smooth; there is a pleasant scent. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard; fairly durable, even when exposed to the elements, being resistant to dry wood borers and moderately resistant to fungi and termites. It seasons slowly, with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is stable in service. It works well with ordinary tools, nailing and screwing are good; gluing is correct. A beautiful wood that is highly valued for the manufacture of luxury furniture, it is also used to make parquet blocks, luxury joinery, carpentry, turnery, panelling, stairs, and for external purposes such as sleepers, bridges and stakes.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

How it is grown

Grows best in a sunny position. A slow-growing tree.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The sawdust can cause skin complaints.

Its other names

Local names

Brazilian-walnut, imbuia - Portuguese, canela-imbuia, embuia, umbuia - Portuguese (Brazil), pocota.

Synonyms

Cinnamomum porosum (Nees & Mart.) Kosterm. Nectandra dubia Hassl. Nectandra speciosa Chanc. Oreodaph