are the wavy patterns of the imbuia pomele wood [phoebe porosa, a type
of the brazilian walnut], the result of the high humidity environments
where this tree species grow??; that is... can I say with a reasonably
debatable sense of veracity that the wavy pattern of the wood is there
because of the humidity on the brazilian environment where this tree
grows?????????

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Clarification of Question by sebastianrosso-ga on 27 Feb 2005 07:01 PST

are the wavy patterns of the -imbuia pomele- wood [phoebe porosa, a type
of the brazilian walnut], the result of the high humidity environments
where this tree species grow??; that is... can I say with a reasonable
sense of veracity that the wavy pattern of the wood is there
because of the humidity on the brazilian environment where this tree
grows?????????

I do not think you can attribute the wavy grain to humidity - there
are many other tree species in temperate climates that have wavy
grain.  Like birdseye maple, there is no definite way to tell if a
growing tree has a particular grain pattern - it has to be cut to
tell, although I have heard of lumbermen who could tell by the butt
end of the log.  Sometimes the pattern is believed to be a result of
where the tree is growing - on a slope, for instance.  Grain patterns
also result from the way a tree is sliced for veneer.