 Angelim/Brazilian Apitong
Species: Hymenolobium petraeum
Common Names: Angelim Pedra hardwood - RealAngelim - decking.
Other Names and Species: Angelim da Terra, Angelim da Mata, Caramate, Mirarema, Sapupira Amarela
Janka Hardness: 3040 (2.5x harder than Oak!)
Origin: Brazil
The Brazilian Apitong Tree - RealAngelim - may grow to 100 to 125 ft in height with trunk diameter of 6 ft. Frequently to heights of 90 ft and diameters of 3 to 4 ft. Boles are clear to 60 ft and more.
Appearance: Brazilian apitong - RealAngelim - heartwood is a light peach brown, while the sapwood is a pale brown. The grain of this wood is crisscross, and the texture is coarse and uneven with wide ribbon grains.
Properties: Brazilian Apitong hardwood - RealAngelim - decking is a high-density wood, with a low moisture content. Since the timber is heavy and very hard, the shrinkage is slight. Brazilian Apitong - RealAngelim - has no distinctive odor. The heartwood of Brazilian Apitong hardwood decking is very durable and resistant to both fungi and termites. This durability makes Brazilian Apitong wood - RealAngelim - decking the best choice for trailer decking.
Workability: Brazilian Apitong hardwood - RealAngelim - decking is easy to work, with good machining and sanding qualities.
Principal Uses: Industrial Flooring, stairs, doors, windows, marine construction, decking, and furniture.
Brazilian Apitong - hardwood trailer decking 2x as hard and lasts longer than Malaysian Apitong
 Apitong is better suited than any other wood in the world for trailer decking because of its durability, affordability and sustainability.
Brazilian Apitong (aka Angelim) and Malaysian Apitong (aka Keruing) are both marketed for this purpose.
Jankas demonstrate that Brazilian Apitong is twice as hard as Malaysian Apitong: Brazilian Apitong - 3040 Malaysian Apitong - 1520
 The excellent hardness / durability rating of Brazilian Apitong makes it superior to Malaysian Apitong for Trailer decking.
CIRAD - Forestry Department - http://www.cirad.fr/en/index.php, has published in depth reports on both of these species comparing durability, strength, hardness, finishes required, susceptibility to termites and rot and use recommendations. These reports, clearly underlining the superiority of Brazilian Apitong for exterior uses exposed to weather, are attached here:
Read more about Brazilian Apitong "the good stuff"
Read more about Malaysian Apitong
Visit the CIRAD site for more information
Brazilian Apitong hardwood decking is an extremely hard decking option. It is over one hundred and thirty-five percent harder than red oak, one hundred and nine percent harder than hard maple and twice as hard as Malaysian Apitong, a well-known choice for trailer decking.
Endless™ Trailer Decking
 Having experienced end rot of previous decks, many trailer owners prefer full length boards and can not get long boards that will resist rot and weather at a reasonable price. The shipping and handling costs of 40’ to 48’ long hardwood boards are too high. The harvesting process would also be wasteful and expensive. Brazilian Wood Depot provides Endless™ trailer length boards at the same cost plf as standard 10’ boards.
Brazilian Wood Depot mills end-kerfed (grooved) boards that provide for the same “seamless” deck as full length boards. Using adhesive, 4” Brazilian hardwood biscuits are fastened into the end grooves of contiguous boards sealing them against water penetration. This eliminates 50 or more end joints on most trailers and over 100 screw holes. Both are potential sources of wood rot and decay.
Besides the seamless seal, this Endless™ board method also relieves the need for the joint to rest on a support beam. This reduces waste. Endless™ deck boards made from Brazilian Apitong decking provide the rot proof seamless trailer deck that is the right deck for everyone.
Go Natural with Brazilian Apitong trailer decking for Endless™ boards and Endless™ deck life. Call us with your questions.
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