Cambara

Qualea spp.

Exotic Hardwood
Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana
$5-9/bf
per board foot

Cambara is a practical and economical South American hardwood featuring pale yellow to light brown coloration with a fine, uniform texture. This moderately lightweight wood offers good workability and dimensional stability, making it ideal for interior applications like furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and general construction. While not naturally durable outdoors, Cambara's affordable price point and pleasant appearance make it an excellent choice for protected interior projects.

Janka Hardness

960 lbf

Moderately soft

Density

38 lbs/ft³

Lightweight

Shrinkage

Low to moderate (6.8% tangential, 4.2% radial)

Good stability

Appearance

Color: Pale yellow to light brown heartwood, sometimes with pinkish tones. Color darkens slightly to honey brown with age. Sapwood is similar in color.

Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked grain with fine to medium uniform texture. Smooth finish.

Key Characteristics

  • Light pale yellow color
  • Fine uniform texture
  • Good workability
  • Lightweight and easy to handle
  • Good dimensional stability
  • Economical pricing

Common Applications

Interior furniture and cabinetry
Interior trim and millwork
Light construction framing
Shelving and storage
Moldings and baseboards
General carpentry

Maintenance

For interior use only. Clean with soft cloth and mild wood cleaner. Not recommended for exterior applications without proper treatment and finishing.

Advantages

  • +Very affordable pricing
  • +Easy to work with hand and power tools
  • +Glues, stains, and finishes well
  • +Good dimensional stability
  • +Lightweight makes handling easier
  • +Pleasant pale color for interior use

Considerations

  • Not naturally durable outdoors
  • Lower hardness - not suitable for heavy traffic
  • Limited decay and insect resistance
  • Color may be too light for some applications
  • Requires treatment for exterior use
  • Not ideal for structural applications