Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba)
Hymenaea courbaril · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- Central America, northern South America, and parts of the Caribbean.
- Hardness
- 2,350 lbf (Very Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable, with exceptional resistance to rot, decay, and termite attack.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Interlocked to straight grain with a medium to coarse texture, featuring a mix of flat-sawn cathedral patterns and some straight-grained quartersawn boards.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from a vivid salmon red to a deeper reddish-brown, often with contrasting dark streaks. Sapwood is a lighter grayish-white or yellowish tone. Darkens significantly to a rich amber-brown upon exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
2,350 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, with exceptional resistance to rot, decay, and termite attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 8.00 to 14.00 USD per board foot for lumber, or higher for finished flooring.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 5 to 15 years, consistent with modern residential prefinished hardwood flooring installation.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though selective harvesting practices apply.
Common Uses
Flooring, fine furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, heavy construction, and exterior decking.
Geographic Origin
Central America, northern South America, and parts of the Caribbean.
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme hardness; has a pronounced dulling effect on cutting edges. Pre-boring is necessary for nailing and screwing, but it glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
High-durability polyurethane or aluminum oxide factory finishes are ideal for flooring; oil-based finishes can highlight the rich reddish tones.
Notable Features
Extremely dense and heavy, high dimensional stability, possesses a natural oily feel, and contains golden sulfur-like deposits in some pores.
