Greenheart Technical Specification: What Engineers and Procurement Managers Need to Know
Target audience: Civil engineers, structural engineers, procurement managers
Greenheart (Chlorocardium rodiei) is specified for marine and heavy civil applications on the basis of its physical properties, not its availability or price point. This article sets out the key technical characteristics relevant to structural specification, alongside common applications and procurement considerations.
Species and Origin
- Scientific name: Chlorocardium rodiei
- Common name: Demerara Greenheart
- Primary source: Guyana (endemic species; commercially harvested under Guyana Forestry Commission licensing)
- Alternative names: Greenheart, Bebeeru
Physical Properties
- Density: approximately 1,000–1,050 kg/m³ (air dry) — among the densest commercially available hardwoods
- Janka hardness: approximately 3,680 lbf (16,370 N) — significantly higher than treated softwood alternatives
- Modulus of rupture: approximately 22,000 psi
- Modulus of elasticity: approximately 3,100,000 psi
- Compression parallel to grain: approximately 10,200 psi
- Natural durability class: Class 1 (very durable) — EN 350 classification
- Marine borer resistance: highly resistant to Teredo navalis and Limnoria species due to natural density and alkaloid content
- Fungal resistance: highly resistant to decay fungi
- Treatment requirement: none for marine or ground-contact applications
Applications
Greenheart is specified primarily for applications where long-term performance in aggressive environments is the design requirement:
Marine piling, harbour fender piles, dolphin piles, and mooring piles. The combination of density and natural borer resistance makes it the benchmark species for permanent marine substructure in tropical and subtropical waters.
Lock gates and sluice gates — Greenheart has been used in lock gate construction across the Caribbean and UK for over a century. The density provides the mass required for effective gate sealing; the durability eliminates the maintenance liability associated with softwood alternatives.
Harbour fender systems — primary and secondary fender timbers, rubbing strips, and fendering on commercial and port infrastructure.
Jetty and pontoon decking — heavy-duty decking in marine environments where borer exposure and UV degradation rule out treated softwood.
Heavy civil construction — bridge timbers, railway sleepers, industrial flooring, and other high-load applications where hardness and dimensional stability are critical.
Dimensional Availability
Greenheart is available in a range of structural dimensions. Common sections for marine applications include:
- Piling: round or square sections, typically 150mm–350mm diameter/section
- Decking: 75mm × 150mm, 75mm × 200mm, 100mm × 150mm and other sections to order
- Fender timber: 150mm × 150mm, 200mm × 200mm, and custom sections
- Bespoke dimensions available to order from Guyana
Lead Times and Procurement
Greenheart is not a stock item in the UK or Caribbean; it is sourced directly from licensed Guyanese forestry operations and shipped to order. Lead times from Georgetown, Guyana run 6–16 weeks depending on vessel schedules, port conditions, and order volume.
For programme-critical marine projects, Greenheart procurement should be initiated at the design stage, not during the construction phase. Late-stage specification changes to softwood alternatives, driven by procurement timeline pressure, are the most common avoidable cost in marine timber projects.
Golden Arrow Timber sources Greenheart direct from Guyana and supplies to marine contractors, port authorities, and civil contractors across the Caribbean and US Eastern Seaboard. Full species documentation and chain of custody records are provided with every shipment.
To discuss specification requirements or request a quote, contact us directly: info@goldenarrowtimber.com | 020 3411 4150 | goldenarrowtimber.com
Golden Arrow Timber Ltd | info@goldenarrowtimber.com | 020 3411 4150 | goldenarrowtimber.com
20 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU, England
