In 1913, while building the Panama Canal, Theodore Roosevelt created what was then the world’s largest man-made lake (Gutan Lake) by damming the Chagres River and flooding an old growth jungle the size of Montreal. Ninety-seven years later, using submersible hydraulic chain saws lubricated with vegetable oil, these perfectly preserved tropical hardwood trees are being harvested from that underwater jungle.
Canal Zapatero (Hieronima alchorneoides)Appearance: Heartwood is dark reddish brown. Sapwood is mild reddish brown. Medium but pronounced grain pattern, usually straight or interlocked. Moderate lustre. Overall rich & warm. Very consistent color & grain.Species Characteristics:Very hard and durable. Naturally resistant to decay, funguses and termite attack. Odourless and tasteless.Uses: High quality furniture, veneers, wall panelling and general carpentry and millwork. Well suited for indoor and outdoor use. Very hard and very suitable for solid or engineered flooring or decking.Work Properties: Canal Zapatero is easy to saw and work with hand tools, good to moderately good to plane, excellent for turning, mortising, boring, moulding and sanding. Nailing is difficulty and pre drilling is recommended. It finishes very well. Two or three coats of sealer are recommended. Because of the woods natural beauty it is recommended to use a transparent finish.Hardness: Janka hardness - 1700. Excellent in high traffic areas.