Wallaba
| Scientific Name | Eperua falcata |
| Family | Caesalpiniaceae |
| Standard Name | Wallaba |
| Other Names | Bois, sabre, Wapa gris, Uapa, Apa. |
| Wood Appearance | The heartwood is reddish-brown in colour, with dark gum streaks which tend to spread over the surface. The sapwood is pale in colour and is sharply defined from the heartwood. The texture is coarse and the grain is typically straight. The bole is 15-20m in length and diameter is approximately 60cm and occasionally up to 100cm. |
| Physical & Mechanical Properties | Strength is mid-way between European Beech and Greenheart:
|
| Natural Durability | Wallaba heartwood is highly resistant to decay and subterranean termites, and is fairly resistant to dry wood termites. Its resistance is extremely high. Soft Wallaba is self-impregnated by nature thus creosoting is unnecessary. |
| Timber Processing | Drying Dries very slowly. Air-drying before kiln drying is recommended. Kiln Schedule B.
Fairly easy to work but difficult to saw because of the high gum content.
Glues well. It holds nails well but pre-boring is recommended because of tendency to split.
It weathers beautifully, is difficult to paint because of gum exudation, but stains and polishes satisfactorily. |
| Uses | Wallaba has excellent properties for transmission poles, flagstaffs, marine and bridge construction in non-teredo areas owing to its strength and durability. It is suitable for general heavy construction, utility and industrial floors and chemical vat staves. Additionally, the timber is used to make fence staves, fence posts and shingles for roofing. |
| Availability | Wallaba has excellent properties for transmission poles, flagstaffs, marine and bridge construction in non-teredo areas owing to its strength and durability. It is suitable for general heavy construction, utility and industrial floors and chemical vat staves. Additionally, the timber is used to make fence staves, fence posts and shingles for roofing. |