Bocote

Specs

Common Names

Bocote

Scientific Name

Cordia spp.

Origin

Mexico and Central/South America

Appearance

Has a yellowish brown body with dramatic dark brown to almost black stripes. Color tends to darken with age. Also, the grain patterning can be quite striking, particularly on flatsawn areas. It’s not uncommon to see many “eyes” and other figuring in Bocote: though unlike knots, they do not seem to present any special challenges in machining. Grain on most decorative pieces is usually figured in some way, and also tends to be interlocked, though pieces with plain and straight grain can also be found. Medium uniform texture and a naturally oily/waxy feel. Good natural luster. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; solitary and radial multiples; medium to large pores in no specific arrangement, few; tyloses and other mineral deposits (yellow/brown) common; parenchyma varies slightly between species, but is generally banded (marginal), as well as vasicentric, aliform (lozenge), and confluent; medium to wide rays, spacing normal to wide.

Avg. Dried Weight

53 lbs/ft3 (855 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

2010 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

16,590 lbf/in2 (114.4 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

1,767,000 lbf/in2 (12.19 GPa)

Crushing Strength

8,610 lbf/in2 (59.4 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 11.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Durability

Heartwood is rated from moderately durable to very durable depending on the species; it is susceptible to insect attack.

Workability

Some species may contain silica that will dull cutters. On the whole, Bocote is easily worked and machined with good results. Although Bocote has a fairly high amount of natural oils present, gluing is usually problem-free. (See the article on gluing oily tropical hardwoods for more information.) Bocote also turns and finishes well.