Hardwood species / black-kakaralli
Black-Kakaralli
A dense, highly durable tropical hardwood valued for strength, stability, and long-term performance.
Common Name(s)
Black Kakaralli, Kakaralli, Wallaba-type hardwood
Scientific Name
Eschweilera spp. / Lecythis spp. (varies by region)
Distribution
Guyana, Suriname, Northern Brazil
About Black-Kakaralli
Black-Kakaralli is a dense, high-performance tropical hardwood known for its exceptional durability, strength, and resistance to decay. Native to Guyana and the northern Amazon basin, it is widely used in heavy construction, marine environments, and long-life structural applications. Its fine texture, high density, and natural resistance to insects make it a reliable choice for demanding outdoor and industrial uses. When properly dried and machined, Black-Kakaralli delivers decades of service with minimal maintenance.
Read the material
Key Attributes
Appearance
Colour
Medium brown to dark brown, sometimes with reddish tones
Grain
Straight to slightly interlocked
Texture
Fine, uniform texture
Density
Very Hard
Performance
Workability
Difficult (high density + silica)
Durability
Very High
Stability
Good dimensional stability
Measured performance
Technical Information
Reference values from the Evergreen species catalogue. Talk with our team about your project conditions.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1,280–2,480 lbf |
| Modulus of Rupture | 10,870 psi (green) → 14,460 psi (12% MC) |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 1,480,000 psi (green) → 1,760,000 psi (12% MC) |
| Density | 48–74 lbs/ft³ (avg = 64) |
| Crushing Strength | 6,370 psi (green) → 11,210 psi (12% MC) |
| Shrinkage (Radial) | 5.8% |
| Shrinkage (Tangential) | 10.3% |
| Shrinkage (Volumetric) | 15.9% |
| T/R Ratio | 1.8 |
| Workability | Difficult (high density + silica) |
| Planing | Fair, with sharp tools |
| Sanding | Good |
| Finishing | Accepts oils and varnish well |
| Stability | Good dimensional stability |
| Durability | Excellent |
| Moisture Movement | Low–Moderate |
Where it works best
Recommended Uses
Let’s build something lasting
Ready to start your project with Black-Kakaralli?
Our team can help you choose the perfect dimensions and finish
Available Dimensions
- Thickness
- 1"-3"
- Width
- Varies by stock
- Length
- 8ft-16ft
- Grade
- Select, Prime, Rustic
- Custom Cuts
- Available on request
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