What is green heart?

Greenheart is a timber prized for its exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to marine borers, making it a valuable material for various applications. It's native to the Guiana Shield region of South America, including Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Key characteristics include:

  • Strength and Durability: Greenheart is renowned for its high tensile strength and resistance to wear and tear.

  • Resistance to Marine Borers: This is perhaps its most defining feature. Greenheart is naturally resistant to marine borers, organisms that destroy wood in saltwater environments.

  • Color and Appearance: The heartwood ranges from olive green to brownish-green, darkening with age.

  • Uses: Due to its unique properties, greenheart is frequently used in marine construction, such as docks, piers, and lock gates. It has also been used in shipbuilding, especially for parts requiring high strength and water resistance, and fishing rods.

  • Sustainability Concerns: Overexploitation and habitat loss raise concerns about the sustainability of greenheart harvesting. Sustainable forestry practices are crucial for its long-term availability.