Basralocus as a River Table Wood
Basralocus (Dicorynia guianensis, synonymous with Dicorynia paraensis) is a Latin American hardwood recognized for its structural resilience, natural resistance to decay, and clean aesthetic. Extensively tested by the wood research team at CIRAD in their Tropix technical program, this species appears in demanding applications ranging from marine hydraulic works and heavy flooring to fine cabinetwork and furniture. When selected for epoxy river tables and hybrid tabletops, Basralocus delivers strong dimensional stability, though its physical traits demand specific tooling and drying precautions in the shop.
Appearance, Grain, and Slab Sizing
Freshly cut Basralocus heartwood is brown, but exposure to light and air causes it to oxidize into a rich bronze brown or purplish brown tone. Its sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood, forming a distinct border that ranges from 2 to 10 cm in thickness. For live-edge builders, this sharp contrast between sapwood and heartwood can create an eye-catching natural border along a tinted epoxy river.
CIRAD reports that Basralocus logs typically span from 50 to 90 cm in diameter. Slabs from these logs generally offer comfortable widths for conference tables, dining tables, and epoxy river desks when paired together. The grain is straight, and interlocked grain is completely absent, yielding a uniform, medium-textured surface. However, the technical sheet cautions that internal stresses are sometimes present in the timber, meaning builders must watch for movement when ripping or flattening boards.
Density, Hardness, and Stability Next to Epoxy
Basralocus is a dense, heavy timber with a specific gravity of 0.79 at 12% moisture content. In working shop measurements, this translates to about 49.3 lb/ft³, meaning a 2-inch-thick slab weighs approximately 8.2 lb per square foot. Table bases and mounting hardware must be engineered to handle this significant mass.
On the French Monnin hardness scale, Basralocus rates at 5.7. The Monnin system measures resistance to indentation where higher numbers signify harder woods (unlike Janka ratings, it should not be calculated or compared as a Janka value). A rating of 5.7 indicates a firm surface that provides excellent scratch resistance across daily tabletop use.
When embedding wood alongside rigid casting resins, seasonal movement is critical. Basralocus exhibits a total tangential shrinkage (St) of 8.2% and a total radial shrinkage (Sr) of 5.1%, resulting in an St/Sr ratio of 1.6. Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.55% per 1% change in moisture content, with a fiber saturation point of 29%. Because the ratio sits relatively close to 1, the wood shows minimal tendency to cup or twist as ambient humidity shifts, reducing shearing stresses along the epoxy bond line.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Dicorynia guianensis, Dicorynia paraensis (synonymous) | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Brown; texture medium; grain straight; interlocked grain absent | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.79 | about 49.3 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 8.2 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 5.7 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 8.2 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 5.1 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.6 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.55 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 29 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.26 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 70 MPa | about 10,150 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 121 MPa | about 17,550 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 18,350 MPa | about 2,661,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 2 – durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class M – moderately durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 4 – not permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 3 – not in ground contact, outside | |
| Drying | rate normal to slow; distortion: slight risk; checking: slight risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 53–65 °C | about 127–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting high; saw teeth: stellite-tipped; cutting tools: tungsten carbide | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | |
| CITES status | This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). |
Values from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet (average values for mature wood, 12% moisture content where noted). US-unit conversions are calculated by BigEpoxy (1 MPa = 145.04 psi; density = specific gravity × 62.43 lb/ft³).
Pros and Cons for Epoxy River Tables
Pros
- Favorable Stability Ratio: An St/Sr ratio of 1.6 minimizes cupping and warping against rigid resin channels.
- Straight Grain: Absent interlocked grain allows for clean surfacing and predictable movement along the slab length.
- High Surface Hardness: A Monnin hardness of 5.7 ensures substantial ding resistance for commercial and dining tops.
- Natural Durability: Ranked as Durability Class 2 (durable) against fungi, with natural resistance to dry-wood borers and termites.
- Unrestricted Trade: Basralocus is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025).
Cons
- High Tool Blunting: Due to a high silica content, the species rapidly dulls standard cutting edges.
- Weight: At about 49.3 lb/ft³, large river tables require heavy-duty bases and hardware.
- Casehardening Risk: CIRAD reports a specific risk of casehardening in thick dimensions during kiln schedules.
- Pre-Boring Mandatory: Fasteners cannot be driven directly; pre-boring is necessary for all screws and bolts.
Shop Build Notes: From Slab to Finish
Slab Selection
Look for mature stock with well-defined sapwood if you want edge contrast against translucent or colored resin. Because logs range from 50 to 90 cm in diameter, wide bookmatched pairs work best for dining tops. Always inspect thicker material for signs of internal stress or casehardening before making your initial breakdown cuts.
Drying
Basralocus dries at a normal to slow pace. While CIRAD notes that risks of checking and distortion are slight, thick slabs require slow, patient drying to prevent interior stresses and casehardening. CIRAD recommends kiln temperatures between 53 and 65 °C (about 127 to 149 °F) for standard drying programs. Never pour epoxy until the core of the slab has reached your regional equilibrium moisture content.
Machining
Machining Basralocus requires dedicated tooling. The wood contains high levels of silica, resulting in a high blunting effect on blades and bits. CIRAD specifically advises the use of stellite-tipped saw teeth and tungsten carbide cutting tools. Ripping and milling require substantial machine power, and a cutting angle of 20° is recommended to achieve clean cuts without burning.
Sealing, Bonding, and Fastening
CIRAD classifies the heartwood as Class 4 (not permeable), meaning it does not readily absorb chemical treatments or liquid penetrants. When preparing river table edges, blow out all medium-textured pores thoroughly after flattening. Apply a thin, unthickened epoxy seal coat to the live edge to seal off surface air and prevent outgassing bubbles before pouring the deep epoxy river. For attaching bases, do not rely on standard wood screws driven directly; pre-boring is strictly necessary to avoid snapping fasteners in this dense hardwood.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: While Basralocus is naturally rated for use class 5 (submersion in salt and brackish water) due to its unique combination of density and silica, that same silica makes slab flattening with standard high-speed steel cutterheads impractical; equip your router sled or CNC with fresh carbide inserts before surfacing. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Basralocus.)