The Tree
The trees are generally tall, sometimes attaining a height of 60.0m with long clear boles and often of very large diameter, but usually, commercial trees are about 45.0m tall, with a well formed bole about 15.0m to 18.0m long and about 0.6m in diameter.

The Timber
The sapwood is cream-coloured, from 32mm to 56mm wide, and except for Q. rosea is rather clearly demarcated from the heartwood; this is pinkish-brown when freshly cut, turning a light reddish-brown with a definite coppery or golden look. Superficially the wood resembles Spanish cedar (Cedrela) and quaruba or yemeri (Vochysia). There is parabolic figuring on the tangential face due to differences in colour density of the growth rings. The texture is medium to coarse, and the grain is straight to sometimes interlocked. All three species are moderately heavy, weighing about 608 kg/m3 when dried.

Drying
Moderately difficult to dry, both in the open air and in the kiln. It dries rapidly but with a tendency to twist and for crook to develop, and with slight end and surface checking.

Strength
It is similar to ash in many of its strength properties, but inferior to that wood in hardness, compression, shear and cleavage.

Working Qualities
Medium to difficult - Silica in the wood dulls saws and cutting edges rather rapidly, and chipped or torn grain is likely to occur when roey grain is present. It glues satisfactorily, but requires care in polishing.