Quebracho blanco, called kebrako or white quebracho, is a South American tree species, native to Brazil, N Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It must not be confused with other species also known as quebracho, but belonging to the genus Schinopsis.
Growth
Quebracho blanco wood is uniformly yellow-ochre, without differences between hardwood and sapwood. It is quite heavy (relative density = 0.885 g/cm³) and hard, and responds well to bending and shock. Upon drying it tends to collapse, producing deformations and cracks, so the drying process is slow; the wood must be treated with fungicides. It is easy to work and has many uses in carpentry (carts, wheels, floors, shoes, tool handles, furniture); it is also good for chess pieces, skis, etc. Preserved with creosote it can be used outdoors. In some places it is widely used as coal, since it does not produce sparks or large amounts of ash, and it burns strong and slowly.
Other chemicals
Quebrachitol is a cyclitol, a cyclic polyol found in the bark of A. quebracho. Quebrachine is a chemical synonym for yohimbine since it was first isolated from the bark of A. quebracho-blanco.
Cultivars
- 'Pendula' - with weeping branches.
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