Cocobolo

Scientific name: Dalbergia retusa

Overview

Cocobolo is a highly prized tropical hardwood known for its dramatic color variation, dense structure, and natural luster. Native to Central America, it is one of the most recognizable members of the rosewood family.

Valued for both its beauty and durability, Cocobolo is commonly used in fine woodworking, musical instruments, and specialty applications where visual impact and performance are equally important.

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Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Cocobolo
  • Scientific Name: Dalbergia retusa
  • Region: Central American Hardwoods (Central America)
  • Tree Size: 40–60 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 68 lbs/ft³ (1,090 kg/m³)
  • Janka Hardness: 2,960 lbf
  • Color: Orange to reddish brown with dark brown or black streaks
  • Grain: Straight to interlocked
  • Texture: Fine and oily with a natural luster

Identification Characteristics

Cocobolo is identified by its vibrant coloration and oily surface. Freshly cut material often displays bright oranges and reds that darken over time into deeper browns and purples. The grain is frequently irregular, producing striking figure.

Sapwood is pale and sharply contrasted with the heartwood.

Key identification traits include:

  • Bold color variation with dark streaking
  • Fine, even texture
  • Naturally oily feel
  • High density and weight

Working Properties

Cocobolo can be challenging to work due to its density and high oil content but rewards careful handling.

  • Requires sharp carbide tooling
  • Oily surface can interfere with gluing
  • Machines cleanly with proper technique
  • Sands to a high natural polish
  • Excellent dimensional stability

Surface preparation is critical for reliable adhesion and finishing.

Safety Note

Dust from Cocobolo is known to cause allergic reactions in some individuals, including skin irritation and respiratory sensitivity. Proper dust collection, gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection are strongly recommended.

Common Uses

Cocobolo is commonly used in high-end and specialty applications, including:

  • Musical instruments and fingerboards
  • Knife handles and tool handles
  • Turned objects
  • Fine furniture accents
  • Decorative inlays

It is rarely used for large structural components due to cost and availability.

Sustainability & Notes

Cocobolo is listed under CITES Appendix II, and international trade is regulated. Availability is limited, and documentation is often required for export and commercial sale.

Responsible sourcing is essential, and buyers should verify legality and compliance with all applicable regulations.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

Brazilian Rosewood – A famous Dalbergia species prized for its rich color, fragrance, and use in fine furniture and musical instruments.

Honduran Rosewood – Another dense tropical hardwood valued for instrument making and decorative woodworking due to its hardness and tonal qualities.

Granadillo – A durable hardwood often used for musical instruments, turnings, and specialty woodworking because of its density and attractive color.

Related Guides

Wood Toxicity and Allergies Guide – Learn which wood species may cause skin irritation, respiratory reactions, or allergic responses, along with practical safety recommendations for cutting, sanding, and finishing wood.

Best Woods for Knife Handles – Discover the best hardwoods for custom knife handles based on density, stability, durability, appearance, moisture resistance, and long-term performance.

Bocote vs. Ziricote – Compare two of Mexico’s most striking hardwoods, examining differences in color, grain patterns, workability, durability, stability, and the woodworking projects each species is best suited for.

Best Woods for Wood Turning
Explore Best Woods for Wood Turning to see how this species compares with other hardwoods for bowls, vessels, pens, handles, and decorative turned projects.

Bubinga vs. Rosewood
Explore Bubinga vs. Rosewood to compare these premium hardwoods in color, figure, density, workability, and use in furniture and musical instruments.

Compare Wood Properties

See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.

Collector Notes

Cocobolo is highly sought after by collectors for its intense color, figure, and rarity. Boards with vivid coloration and dramatic streaking are especially prized.

Collectors often prefer well-aged stock, as freshly cut Cocobolo can bleed oils and shift color during curing. Proper storage and sealing help preserve surface quality and long-term stability.

Video Overview

Share Your Photos of This Species

Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?

Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.

When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.

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Wood Sample Collection

This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.

Learn more about contributing to the collection:

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Resources

Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:

• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/

• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/

Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.

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Availability & Where to Buy

Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.

As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.

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Availability varies — check the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources

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