Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
Hymenaea courbaril • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture. Exhibits a fairly straight, uniform grain in this specific cut with visible long-pore vessels.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light orange-brown to a darker reddish-brown with grayish-white sapwood (seen on the left). It is known for light-sensitivity and will darken significantly to a deep reddish-brown over time when exposed to light.
Hardness Rating
2,690 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is very resistant to rot and termites, though sapwood is susceptible to powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, ship building, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Central America, southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $12.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young board/recent mill work; the high contrast between the pale sapwood and the reddish heartwood suggests it has not yet undergone much UV-induced darkening or oxidation.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally not CITES regulated, though FSC-certified stock is preferred.
Workability
Difficult due to extreme density and hardness. It has a high blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can be difficult to plane without tearout if grain is interlocked.
Notable Features
Distinctive high density and weight; lacks a characteristic odor; can produce mild skin irritation from sawdust; known for exceptional shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes highlight the depth and chatoyance; polyurethane is recommended for flooring to handle wear; water-based finishes can be used to slow the natural darkening process.
Identification Confidence
High; the sharp demarcation between the yellowish-white sapwood and the salmon-to-red heartwood, combined with the large open-pore structure and characteristic 'warm' orange-red hue, is highly diagnostic for Jatoba.