Palo Santo (Holy Wood)
Bursera graveolens • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked and irregular, often appearing coarse or fibrous with distinctive ribbon-like grain in larger pieces
Color Description
Light brown to yellowish-tan heartwood with hints of gray or green; sapwood is typically pale yellow. Wood develops a deeper golden patina with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
Approx. 1,000–1,100 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; high natural resin content provides some resistance to termites and decay, though it is primarily harvested for its resin rather than structural rot resistance.
Common Uses
Incense (smudging), essential oil production, carved amulets, turnery, and small ornamental objects.
Geographic Origin
Tropical dry forests of the Gran Chaco region (Ecuador, Peru, and parts of Central America)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $35.00 per pound (typically sold by weight rather than board foot for incense use)
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears weathered and oxidized with a dry surface texture, likely aged 2-5 years post-harvest or deadfall recovery.
Sustainability Status
Critically regulated in many regions; IUCN Red List status is 'Least Concern' globally, but local national regulations (like in Peru and Ecuador) restrict harvest to dead trees only.
Workability
Difficult to machine due to high resin content which gum up saws and sanders; takes a high polish but requires sharp tools to manage interlocked grain.
Notable Features
Extremely aromatic scent (citrus, mint, and frankincense notes) due to high limonene and alpha-terpineol content; wood is highly flammable and oily.
Finish Recommendations
Usually left unfinished to maintain the aromatic scent; if used for ornaments, a light wax or shellac is recommended, though oils may bleed through film finishes.
Identification Confidence
High; the fibrous texture of the split face combined with the characteristic blocky, cross-hatched end grain pattern is diagnostic of Bursera graveolens.