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. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 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 15