Jatoba
HYMENAEA COURBARIL

The species jatoba, also known as Brazilian cherry, is the most popular hardwood flooring import from Brazil to the USA. Known for its hardness and durability, this exotic hardwood is a great choice in both residential and commercial installations. Jatoba’s popularity as a flooring material is well-deserved. Open-grained like oak, but more than twice as hard, this wood features dark brown or black streaks contrasting with a background that ranges from dark orange to reddish brown, darkening after several months to a deep reddish-brown. Native Americans made canoes from the smooth, hard, thick bark by stripping a piece of bark from the tree, sewing the ends together, waterproofing the seams with gum or resin, and inserting wooden crosspieces. Jatoba is sometimes compared to mahogany. It is not as porous as mahogany but harder and denser, making it a good alternative.

FAMILY
Caesalpiniaceae.

OTHER COMMON NAMES
Brazilian Cherry, Jatai, Courbaril, Locust, Algarrobo.

ORIGIN
Brazil and tropical South America.

APPEARANCE
Jatoba heartwood is variable in color from salmon red to orange-brown marked with dark brown streaks with a golden luster. It darkens to a deep, reddish brown. Thick sapwood is notably differentiated, white to slightly yellowed. Regular to irregular grain is usually slightly interlocked, uniform medium to coarse texture, rough and of poor shine surface.

DENSITY AND BUOYANCY
Janka hardness is 3290, making it extremely hard and durable, 155% harder than Red Oak (1210 Janka). Average weight is 56 lbs./cu. ft. Specific gravity is .91, making this wood dense and only very slightly buoyant.

DRYING AND SHRINKAGE
It seasons at a fast to moderate rate with only slight cracking, checking and warp. Shrinkage is low for a wood of this density.

WORKABILITY
Being extremely dense, jatoba is hard to cut and has a fairly high blunting effect. Pre-boring is necessary for nailing or screwing, and gluing must be done with care.

DURABILITY
Moderately durable to fungi, dry wood borers and termites.

PRESERVATION
Does not require any preservative treatment.

USES
Used heavily for interior finishing such as flooring, veneer, interior trim, furniture and cabinet work.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Found in Central and South America, this hardwood sometimes is a very hard and strong species, and has shock-resistant qualities similar to ash and hickory. It is also very resistant to insects.

Jatoba offers:

• high density
• natural resistance to damage
• extreme hardness, ideal for flooring and cabinetry

LUMBER
Custom sizes available in flooring, paneling and mouldings.

• 4/4", 5/4", 8/4" thickness
• 5" and wider
• 6' and longer

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