Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Wavy and interlocked grain with a high degree of irregularity; often includes small knots and swirling grain patterns.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light reddish-brown to a darker chocolate brown; sapwood is narrow and pale yellow. Darkens significantly with age to a rich, dark auburn.
Hardness Rating
2,340 lbf (Very Hard to Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, knife scales, turned objects, high-end cabinetry, and premium firewood for smoking meats.
Geographic Origin
Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 to $25.00 per board foot for high-quality lumber; logs are generally sold by weight or cord.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled to 6 months old; bark remains intact and wood shows minimal weathering/grey patina.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; generally considered invasive in some rangelands.
Workability
Difficult due to high density and interlocked grain which causes tearout; dulls cutting edges quickly but turns and polishes exceptionally well.
Notable Features
Extremely stable with very low shrinkage rates; has a sweet, distinctive scent when worked; high tannin content.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) or lacquer to enhance depth and chatoyance; glues and polishes to a high natural luster.
Identification Confidence
High; based on the deeply furrowed, shaggy bark characteristic of Prosopis species and the distinct dark heartwood/light sapwood contrast visible on end grain.