Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril

Family: Leguminosae

Distribution: Southern Mexico, throughout Central America and the West Indies to northern Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

Other Names: Brazilian Cherry, Cuopinol, Guapinol, Locust, Kawanari, Rode lokus, Algorrobo, Jatahy

Wood Description: Texture is medium to somewhat coarse; grain mostly interlocked; golden luster.

Sapwood: Usually wide; white, grey or pinkish.

Heartwood: Salmon red to orange brown when fresh, becoming russet to reddish brown when seasoned, marked with dark streaks. Highly figured.

Processing: Wood is rated slightly difficult to dry - it seasons at a fast to moderate rate with only slight check and warp. The wood is moderately difficult to saw and machine due to its density, but it can easily be machined to a smooth surface. Somewhat difficult to plane because of the interlocked grain. Easy to glue and finish satisfactorily.

Durability: Lab evaluations rate the wood very resistant to brown-rot and white-rot fungi;  actual field exposure trials also rate the wood as very durable. Heartwood is rated as very resistant to dry-wood termites; little resistance to marine borers.

Common Uses:  Interior flooring, turnery, furniture, cabinet work, cross ties, exterior decking, specialty items.