International Wood International Wood 2017 | Page 49

Sustainability AND Functionality –
TROPICAL MAPLE
T
ropical maple is currently seeing an uptick
in use within the restaurant industry. Also
known as the rubber tree, tropical maple is
native to South America and is traditionally
known for producing natural latex. Grown
on plantations, tropical maple matures in just
seven years and usually is tapped for its rubber
for another 20 to 25 years. When the trees are
between 25 and 40 years old, they stop produc-
ing latex and are then c ut down. New trees are
planted where the previous trees stood, thus
completing the cycle and creating a unique and
deliberate sustainability story.
Tropical maple is now being used in the
restaurant industry for butcher blocks, tables,
chairs, and bar tops. “Tropical maple is a high
quality product that is also ecologically friendly.
Compared to some other hardwoods, tropical
maple is more cost effective and just as dura-
ble, making it a great wood choice,” explains
Fabs Corte, owner of Cormark International, an
importer of tropical maple. “Tropical maple has
much to offer. For woodworking applications,
one of the advantages is when staining the wood,
it can be made to look like many other woods,
although it is also beautiful natural” said Corte.
“When you add in durability and sustainability, it
becomes an attractive choice.” added Corte. n
SPOTLIGHT ON: TROPICAL MAPLE /
RUBBERWOOD
SPECIES:
ORIGIN:
Hevea brasiliensis
South America.
Mouldings,
commercial furniture, outdoor furniture,
flooring, butcher blocks, countertops.
1893: Founded by Charles Wesley Robinson in New Orleans
1897: First exports of Southern
Long Leaf Pine to the Caribbean
2001: Forest Stewardship Council
certification
1988: Sales of tropical
hardwoods to all 50 states
1939: Sawmilling and export
operations begin with Nicaragua
2004: Honduras flooring factory
begins operations
1993: Asia Division established
with headquarters in California
1942: First delivery of lumber for
construction of Higgins Boats
during WWII
2005: Hurricane Katrina Relief
Fund founded
1994: Fourth generation establishes
Indiana facility for US hardwood exports
1950: Pitch Pine exported from
Honduras to the Caribbean
and Europe
2007: Flooring inventories in five
states
1996: First exotic flooring
imported from South America
1947: Second generation imports
first sawn Mahogony lumber
from Mexico
2009: Fifth generation enters the
family business
1998: American White Oak
flooring manifactures in Belgium
1973: Third generation imports
the first Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
lumber into the United States
2011: First sales of southeast
Asian Hardwoods in Europe
2000: European office established in Belgium
1983: White Oak and other temperate
hardwoods exported to Europe as
lumber and strips
2016: Fifth Generation establishes
Virginia facility for import and domestic
lumber production
COMMON APPLICATIONS:
2017: 124 years of customer commitment
CHARACTERISTICS / APPEARANCE:
Rubberwood has a dense grain and
characteristics similar to Teak. It is whitish
yellow when freshly cut and subsequently
seasons to light brown. The wood has easy
machining and working qualities.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE:
(see chart on page 16)
960 lb f
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INTERNATIONAL WOOD
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