- Common Names
- Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry
- Scientific Name
- Hymenaea oblongifolia
- Origin
- Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies
- Appearance
- Heartwood varies from a light orangish brown to a darker reddish brown, sometimes with contrasting darker grayish brown streaks. Color tends darken upon exposure to light. Sapwood is a light grayish yellow, clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Grain is typically interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores, very few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits (dark brown) occasionally present; parenchyma vasicentric, aliform (lozenge or winged), confluent, and marginal; narrow to medium rays, normal spacing.
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 57 lbs/ft3 (910 kg/m3)
- Janka Hardness
- 2690 lbf
- Modulus of Rupture
- 22,510 lbf/in2 (155.2 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus
- 2,745,000 lbf/in2 (18.93 GPa)
- Crushing Strength
- 11,780 lbf/in2 (81.2 MPa)
- Shrinkage
- Radial: 4.2%, Tangential: 8.0%, Volumetric: 12.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
- Durability
- Jatoba is rated as being very durable in regards to rot resistance, and is also resistant to termites and most other insects. (Though it has been reported to be susceptible to attack from marine borers.)
- Workability
- Jatoba is considered difficult to work with on account of its density and hardness, and has a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. Jatoba also tends to be difficult to plane without tearout due to its interlocking grain. However, Jatoba glues, stains, turns, and finishes well. Responds well to steam-bending.
