Quebracho

Quebracho is a common name in Spanish to describe very hard (density) wood tree species. The etymology of the name derived from quebrar hacha, which means "axe breaker". There are three species usually referred to as quebracho:

• Schinopsis lorentzii (red quebracho). Also known as quebracho colorado, it is found in the Gran Chaco region in Argentina and Paraguay. It is a tannin-rich tree which yields a red dye.

• Schinopsis balansae (willow-leaf red quebracho). Also known as quebracho colorado chaqueño, it is found in the Gran Chaco region in Argentina and Paraguay. Like S. lorentzii, it is also a tannin-rich tree and yields a red dye.

• Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (white quebracho). Also known as quebracho blanco, it is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Unlike the two Schinopsis species, A. quebracho-blanco yields white timber which is not high in tannins.

Uses

Quebracho has historically been used in tanning and dyeing due to its high tannin content. The wood is also used in fence posts, railway sleepers, and heavy construction. The bark of the quebracho tree is used in traditional medicine in South America and is also harvested for the production of quinine, an anti-malarial drug.

Conservation

Due to overexploitation, S. lorentzii and S. balansae are both listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. A. quebracho-blanco is not listed as endangered, but its population has been significantly reduced due to habitat loss.

See also

• List of woods
• Forestry in Argentina

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