Common Name(s): Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry
Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril
Distribution: Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies
Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft3 (990 kg/m3)
Basic Specific Gravity: .77
Hardness: 2,820 lbf (12,540 N)
Rupture Strength: 23,430 lbf/in2 (161,600 kPa)
Elastic Strength: 2,717,000 lbf/in2 (18,740 MPa)
Crushing Strength: 11,860 lbf/in2 (81.8 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 4.5%, Tangential: 8.5%, Volumetric: 12.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

 

Color/Appearance:
Wood can vary in color, from a lighter orange-brown, to a darker reddish brown, which tends to become darker with age. The grain patterns are usually
bland and undefined, though the wood has a certain depth of luster that’s hard to define. There are sometimes contrasting darker grayish brown streaks or
curly figure found in certain boards.

Grain/Pore:
Has a medium to coarse texture with large pores. The grain tends to be wavy and interlocked.

Endgrain:
Diffuse-porous; medium-large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits (dark brown) occasionally present;
growth rings distinct due to marginal parenchyma; rays visible without lens; parenchyma banded (marginal), paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric, aliform
(lozenge or winged), and confluent.

Durability:
Jatoba is rated as being very durable in regards to rot resistance, and is also resistant to termites and most other insects. (Though it has been
reported to be susceptible to attack from marine borers.)

Workability:
Jatoba is considered difficult to work with on account of its density and hardness, and has a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. Jatoba also
tends to be difficult to plane without tearout due to its interlocking grain. However, Jatoba glues, stains, and finishes well, and also turns well on the
lathe.

Scent:
There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety:
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Jatoba has been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood
Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability:
Jatoba is fairly inexpensive for an imported timber. It’s usually not much more than the premium domestic lumber found in the United States, such as
Black Walnut or Cherry.

Comments:
Although it’s widely named “Brazilian Cherry,” (mostly among flooring sellers), it bears absolutely no relation to the domestic Cherry (Prunus serotina)
that is found in the US, except perhaps that its natural color closely matches the common stained color of domestic Cherry that has been aged/stained
reddish-brown as seen on some interior furniture.
Jatoba is exceptionally stiff, strong, and hard—among the very toughest of all timbers worldwide. The wood is used extensively in a variety of
applications, including: flooring, furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, shipbuilding, railroad ties, turned objects, and other small specialty items.