Common Name(s): Bocote
Scientific Name: Cordia spp.
Distribution: Most species come from Mexico and Central/South America, though certain species occur in Africa
Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 59 lbs/ft3 (940 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .74
Hardness: 2,200 lbf (9,790 N)
Rupture Strength: 17,100 lbf/in2 (117,930 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 1,790,000 lbf/in2 (12,350 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 9,000 lbf/in2 (62.1 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 11.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Color/Appearance:
Has a yellowish brown body with dramatic dark brown to almost black stripes. Color tends to darken with age. Also, the grain patterning can be quite
striking, particularly on flatsawn areas. It’s not uncommon to see many “eyes” and other figuring in Bocote: though unlike knots, they do not seem to
present any special challenges in machining.

Grain/Pore:
Typically medium to small pores, with a medium texture and a naturally oily/waxy feel. The grain on most decorative pieces is usually figured in some
way, and also tends to be interlocked; though pieces with plain and straight grain can also be found.

Endgrain:
Diffuse-porous; small-medium pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses and other mineral deposits present; growth
rings distinct due to marginal parenchyma; rays visible without lens; parenchyma varies slightly between species, but is generally banded (marginal), as
well as vasicentric, aliform (lozenge), and confluent.
Durability:
Heartwood is rated from moderately durable to very durable depending on the species; it is susceptible to insect attack.

Workability:
Some species may contain silica that will dull cutters. On the whole, Bocote is easily worked and machined with good results. Although Bocote has a
fairly high amount of natural oils present, gluing is usually problem-free. (See the article on gluing oily tropical hardwoods for more information.)
Bocote also turns and finishes well.

Scent:
Bocote has a moderate scent when being worked that resembles dill pickles.
Safety: Bocote has been shown to cause cross reactions once an allergic sensitivity to certain woods has been developed. Woods that can cause initial
sensitivity include: Pau Ferro, Macassar Ebony, Cocobolo, and most Rosewoods. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more
information.

Price/Availability:
Likely to be somewhat expensive, close to other mid-to-high priced exotics such as Zebrawood or Cocobolo.

Comments:
With its striking, zebra-like contrasts, and bold figuring, Bocote can be a very eye-catching wood. Bookmatching two consecutive panels can create
symmetrical ”faces” and other patterns in the wood, (though a relatively thin-kerf blade should be used to minimize the shift of the pattern). Bocote is
generally used for its aesthetic attributes, rather than its mechanical ones—and although Bocote is by no means weak, its strength-to-weight ratio is
below average. (It is roughly as stiff and strong as Hard Maple, even though Bocote is considerably heavier.)
Common uses include: fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, boat-building, musical instruments, gunstocks, turned objects, and other small specialty
wood items.