Bocote
Cordia gerascanthus • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and interlocked. Features dramatic 'eyes' and landscape patterns when turned, often displaying bird's eye-like figures due to the wood's growth habit.
Color Description
Yellowish brown body with dramatic, nearly black grain stripes. Heartwood darkens significantly with age, while the luster remains high. Chatoyance is often present in the lighter sections.
Hardness Rating
2,010 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; good natural surface resistance but generally used for indoor specialty items due to high value and decorative nature.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, tool handles, musical instruments (guitars), and small specialty turned objects like the pen shown.
Geographic Origin
Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $20 to $35 per board foot for high-figure lumber; small blanks for pens typically sell for $3 to $8 each.
Wood Age Estimate
The wood appears to be from a contemporary decorative pen blank, likely seasoned/dried within the last 5-10 years and recently finished based on the high-gloss surface.
Sustainability Status
Not currently listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though its popularity in high-end woodworking puts pressure on local populations.
Workability
Generally easy to work despite its density; however, the high oil content can make gluing difficult and can cause sandpaper to clog easily. It turns beautifully on a lathe.
Notable Features
Distinctive dill-pickle-like scent when being worked. High natural oil content gives it a naturally lustrous finish. It is exceptionally dense and heavy.
Finish Recommendations
Cyanoacrylate (CA) finish is standard for bocote pens to seal oils and provide a durable high-gloss shine. Also takes lacquer and tung oil well after surface wiping with acetone.
Identification Confidence
High; the 'swirly' grain with dark, zebra-like streaks and the characteristic 'eye' figure on a yellowish-brown background is a signature visual of Bocote.