Parota (Guanacaste)
Enterolobium cyclocarpum · Hardwood / Tropical
- Type
- Hardwood / Tropical
- Origin
- Central America and Northern South America (commonly sourced from Mexico and Costa Rica).
- Hardness
- 470 lbf (Very Soft)
- Durability
- Rated as Durable to Very Durable; resistant to decay and wood-boring insects.
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Grain Pattern
Slightly interlocked to wavy grain with a large, sweeping cathedral figure on this live-edge flat-sawn slab.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from medium golden-brown to warm reddish-brown with dark streaks; distinct light cream to yellowish sapwood along the live edges creating high contrast.
Hardness (Janka)
470 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Rated as Durable to Very Durable; resistant to decay and wood-boring insects.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10 to $20 per board foot (the slab in the image is marked at $400.00).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly milled commercial slab, estimated harvest within the last 1-3 years.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES Appendices or IUCN Red List; widely available and fast-growing.
Common Uses
Live-edge slab tables, dining room tables, bar tops, oversized furniture, sculpture, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Central America and Northern South America (commonly sourced from Mexico and Costa Rica).
Workability
Easy to saw and plane due to low density, though interlocked grain can cause tearout. Sanding dust can irritate eyes and respiratory tract.
Finish Recommendations
Film-building finishes like clear polyurethane, conversion varnish, or epoxy for live-edge tabletops; hardwax oils like Rubio Monocoat or Odie's Oil highlight rich color contrast.
Notable Features
Fast-growing tree producing exceptionally wide, light-weight live-edge slabs with striking sapwood contrast. Fine wood dust is a potent respiratory irritant.
