Replies

1. 
   trialnut | Jan 19, 2007 08:36pm | #1

   giman

   I can not find Brazilian Pepper in any of my sources. If you can come up with some other common names or even better the scientific name I can likely help you out. Some I have found are: Bertholletia excelsa Brazil nut tree or Brazilnoot, Cedrela odorata Brazilian cedar, Araucaria angustifolia Brazilian pine, Dalbergia nigra Brazilian rosewood, Phoebe porosa Imbuia or Brazilian walnut, and Amburana cearensis Cerejeira or Brazilian oak.  There are probably more.

   Rich

   OK, I just found some info on it. Schinus terebinthifolus Brazilian pepper tree. Seems it does not grow large enough to be included in any of the wood properties charts. I did find a pdf on it which I will post. You may want to be careful with it as it is listed as a skin and respiratory irritant.

   The Professional Termite

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   Edited 1/19/2007 1:06 pm ET by trialnut

   
   

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   Edited 1/19/2007 1:10 pm ET by trialnut

1. 
   trialnut | Jan 19, 2007 09:08pm | #2

   Here is the pdf. I couldn't attach it in edit mode.The Professional Termite

   
1. 
   giman | Jan 20, 2007 09:52am | #6

   Thanks much for the file.  I wish I had a sample of the leaves to verify the identification.  I am going to try the arborest at the San Diego zoo and ask if he can point me toward one of these trees in an uncut state..Appreciate your help.

   Bill

2. 
   KeithNewton | Jan 19, 2007 11:19pm | #3

   If I were you, I would take some short end-cuts and measure them precisly, then cook them down to oven-dry, to come up with your own results. You will learn more than just seeing the numbers.

1. 
   giman | Jan 20, 2007 09:49am | #5

   Thanks very much for this advice.  Since my wife will undoubtedly be less than enthusiastic over this use of her kitchen, I will give an old microwave a try.  I use to make laminated bows (archery) and I had a homemade drying box (the coffin as my wife described) but that has been recycled.  Thanks for your reply--I learn something new every day with this forum.

   Bill

3. 
   JohnWW | Jan 20, 2007 12:38am | #4

   I can find no reference to Brazilian Pepper ever being used as a commercial wood.  Apparently you have already been working with it, but be careful, if the leaves, flowers, and  berries are irritating, the dust is probably not good to breathe.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   giman | Jan 20, 2007 10:02am | #7

   Thanks much!  I have induced a number of skin and eye irritations while trimming various succulents in our desert-scaped yard--nothing like having to go to the ER to have an eye wash after trimming these little jewels and developing such severe pain that you are willing to brave a crowded ER.  And that is nothing like having it happen a second time (fortunately not the same folks in the ER.  We no longer have these plants.  So you would think that I have learned my lesson.

   Bill