Bocote

Scientific name: Cordia elaeagnoides

Overview

Bocote is a highly decorative hardwood known for its dramatic grain patterns and strong color contrast. Native to Central and South America, it is prized primarily for its visual appeal rather than large structural applications.

Often selected for small projects, fine details, and showcase pieces, Bocote is valued by woodworkers and collectors for its bold striping, natural luster, and distinctive character.

Watch Video Overview

Watch a visual overview of Bocote including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.

Jump directly to the video section below to see this species in greater detail.

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Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Bocote
  • Scientific Name: Cordia elaeagnoides
  • Region: Central American Hardwoods (Mexico & Central America)
  • Tree Size: 40–80 ft tall, 1–3 ft trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 53 lbs/ft³ (850 kg/m³)
  • Janka Hardness: 2,010 lbf
  • Color: Yellowish brown to golden brown with dark brown to black streaks
  • Grain: Often straight to slightly interlocked
  • Texture: Medium with a natural oily feel

Identification Characteristics

Bocote is easily identified by its striking grain patterns, which often appear as bold black lines or swirling figure against a lighter brown or yellow-brown background. Contrast can be dramatic, with each board displaying a unique appearance.

Freshly cut Bocote may appear lighter, with contrast increasing as the wood ages.

Key identification traits include:

  • High-contrast dark striping
  • Fine to medium texture
  • Open pore structure
  • Naturally glossy surface

Working Properties

Bocote generally works well with both hand and machine tools, though its interlocked grain can occasionally present challenges.

  • Machines and turns well
  • Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
  • Sands smoothly
  • Glues reliably
  • Finishes to a high natural sheen

Its manageable hardness and visual impact make it a favorite for detail-oriented projects.

Safety Note

Dust from Bocote may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.

Common Uses

Bocote is most commonly used in small to medium-scale applications, including:

  • Turned objects
  • Knife handles and tool handles
  • Small furniture accents
  • Decorative panels
  • Specialty woodworking projects

It is frequently chosen where appearance is more important than structural performance.

Sustainability & Notes

Bocote is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available, though availability can vary by species and region.

As with all tropical hardwoods, buyers are encouraged to seek suppliers that document legal harvesting and responsible forestry practices.

Comparative Notes & Related Species 

Ziricote – Another Central American hardwood from the Cordia genus, known for its dramatic dark figuring and similar use in fine woodworking and instrument making.

Chechen – A dense decorative hardwood with striking grain patterns, commonly used in furniture, turning, and specialty woodworking.

Granadillo – A hard tropical hardwood valued for its durability and attractive reddish-brown color, often used for musical instruments and fine woodworking.

Related Guides

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.

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.

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.

Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves
Explore Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves to compare two boldly figured exotic hardwoods and see how their appearance, density, workability, and applications differ.

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.

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

Bocote is highly regarded by collectors for its dramatic and often unpredictable grain patterns. Boards with strong contrast, tight striping, or swirling figure are especially sought after.

Collectors typically favor defect-free boards suitable for small showcase pieces. Because figure varies widely, Bocote is often selected in person rather than by description alone. Proper drying and storage help preserve surface quality and prevent checking.

Video Overview

Learn Through Video:

Watch a visual breakdown of Bocote.

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?

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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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