Boardwalk planks are made from a mix of tropical hardwoods that include Ipe, Cumaru, Greenheart and Angelique – all with nearly supernatural resistance to moisture and rot and a hardness rating that is 2-3 times White Oak. Their beauty and performance make these species among the most desired for exterior decking – and their harvesting the most destructive. It is estimated that close to an acre of Rainforest is clear cut to yield just a small amount of the material. Their use for public projects is increasingly banned – also in NYC, once the countries largest consumer of the woods for park applications.