Brazilian Cherry / JATOBA
Scientific Name:
Hymenaea courbaril
Other Names and Species:
Algarrobo
Cuapinol
Guapinol
Jatahy
Kawanari
Paquio
Rode Locus
West Indian Locust
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The origin is from southern Mexico, throughout Central America and the West Indies, to northern Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. The tree may grow to a height of 130 ft with trunk diameters of 5 to 6 ft; usually less than 100 ft high with diameters of 2 to 4 ft. Boles are well formed, often clear for 40 to 80 ft, and basally swollen or buttressed in large trees. Jatoba is sometimes compared to mahogany. It is not as porous as mahogany but harder and denser, making it a good alternative. With its inherent beauty, rich coloring, and extreme hardness, this species is understandably one of our most popular exotic woods.
Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.71 to 0.82; air- dry density 52 to 61 pcf
Uses:
Brazilian cherry (jatoba) is frequently used where good shock resistance is needed, such as in wood flooring and tool handles. Other applications include railroad crossties, wheel rims, gear cogs, and other specialty items, as well as furniture and cabinet work.
General Characteristic:
While the sapwood of jatoba is gray-white, the heartwood tends to a salmon-red to orange-brown color once fresh, turning russet or reddish brown with dark streaks when seasoned. With its inherent beauty, plentiful coloring, and extreme hardness, this species is understandably one of our most popular exotic woods.
Working Properties:
Brazilian cherry is difficult to saw and plane because of the interlocked grain; however, it sands nicely to a smooth surface. Moderately difficult to work due to to its high density. Moderate blunting effect on cutters. Nails poorly, but holds screws well. Glues and stains well, but does not take a high polish. Steam-bending properties comparable to white oak.
Drying and Shrinkage:
It seasons at a fast to moderate rate with only slight cracking, checking and warp. Shrinkage is low for a wood of this density. Drying is rapid and difficult. Slow drying is recommended. Kiln schedule T3-C2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T3-C1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.5%; tangential 8.5%; volumetric 12.7%-values are low for a wood of this density.
Durability:
Moderately durable to fungi, dry wood borers and termites, but non-durable when a high proportion of sapwood is present. Very resistant to termites and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.
Laboratory evaluations rate the wood very resistant to brown-rot and white-rot fungi; actual field exposure trials also rate the wood as very durable. Heartwood is also rated very resistant to dry-wood termites; little resistance to marine borers
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