International Wood International Wood 2017 | Page 15
The McKinney family residence in Muscle Shoals,
Alabama contains a treasure trove of little-known
timber species, including Greenheart, Purpleheart,
Tatabu, Shibidan and Kabukalli.
O
ne of the home’s highlights is a waterfall feature
with wood accents designed by Joe McKinney
himself that showcases the beauty and versatility
of five different exotic species. Greenheart, a pale
olive-colored wood with dark streaks, is possibly the stiffest wood
known to man. Due to its superior resistance to water rot, it is often
used for marine pilings. Purpleheart, also known as amendoim or
amaranth, is similarly valued for strength and stiffness, and it is espe-
cially prized for its striking violet hue. Tatabu, known in Guyana as
Aramatta, a coarse-grained chocolate brown wood; Shibidan with its
unusual rose-pink coloration; and dense, durable, sturdy Kabukalli
are all used as accents in the waterfall. Each species adds its own dis-
tinctive character and special beauty to the water feature.
In addition to their use in the waterfall, Tatabu was used for the
home’s external decking and handrails as well as for the perimeter
fencing.
The exotic wood species used in the McKinney home were sourced
entirely from a 1,000,000-acre tract in the Iwokrama Forest of Guyana.
The tract is being developed by the international division of the
McVantage Group of Tuscumbia, Alabama.
McKinney, who is managing director of the McVantage Group,
has led efforts to expand the company’s concepts of innovation,
growth, and environmental stewardship into developing markets
and to develop economically viable, environmentally sustainable
forest resources from tropical forests.
McKinney’s passion for exotic woods and his vision to develop an
environmentally sound timber business in Guyana began with his
first visit to the former British colony more than a dozen years ago.
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RIGHT: THIS WATERFALL FEATURE, DESIGNED BY MCKINNEY HIMSELF, SHOWCASES THE BEAUTY
AND VERSATILITY OF FIVE DIFFERENT EXOTIC SPECIES. EACH SPECIES ADDS ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE
CHARACTER AND SPECIAL BEAUTY TO THE WATER FEATURE. LEFT: IN ADDITION TO ITS USE IN THE
WATERFALL, TATABU WAS USED FOR THE HOME’S EXTERNAL DECKING AND HANDRAILS.
INTERNATIONAL WOOD
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