Jatoba
Scientific name: Hymenaea courbaril
Overview
Jatoba is a dense South American hardwood widely known for its strength, durability, and rich reddish-brown coloration. Native to Central and South America, it is commonly used in flooring, furniture, and heavy-duty interior applications.
Often marketed as “Brazilian Cherry,” Jatoba is not a true cherry but is valued for its hardness, wear resistance, and warm appearance, making it a popular choice for high-traffic environments.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of Jatoba including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
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Quick Facts
- Common Name: Jatoba
- Scientific Name: Hymenaea courbaril
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Central & Northern South America)
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 57 lbs/ft³ (915 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,350 lbf
- Color: Orange brown to reddish brown, darkening with age
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Jatoba is identified by its reddish-brown heartwood, which deepens in color over time with exposure. The grain is typically straight but may show interlock, and the texture is noticeably coarser than many other tropical hardwoods.
Sapwood is typically pale and clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish brown heartwood
- Open pore structure
- Medium to coarse texture
- High density and weight
Working Properties
Jatoba is durable and strong but can be challenging to work due to its hardness.
- Requires sharp carbide tooling
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Sands slowly but evenly
- Glues and finishes well
- Very good dimensional stability
Its toughness makes it well suited for applications where impact and wear resistance are important.
Safety Note
Dust from Jatoba 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
Jatoba is commonly used in demanding interior applications, including:
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Stair treads
- Cabinetry
- Tool handles and heavy-duty components
Its hardness and durability make it especially suitable for high-traffic areas.
Sustainability & Notes
Jatoba is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. Availability varies by region, and responsible sourcing is encouraged.
Buyers should seek suppliers that provide documentation of legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cumaru – A very dense South American hardwood often used in decking and flooring, typically harder and more resistant to wear than Jatoba.
Ipe – An extremely durable hardwood commonly used for exterior applications, generally denser and more resistant to decay than Jatoba.
Garapa – A lighter-colored tropical hardwood used in decking and outdoor construction, generally easier to work than Jatoba.
Video Overview
Learn Through Video:
Watch a visual breakdown of Jatoba including its color grain and common uses.
Related Guides
Hardwood vs Softwood
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Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and wear resistance of hardwood species.
Best Woods for Flooring – Compare hardwood flooring species based on hardness, wear resistance, stability, appearance, maintenance requirements, and overall performance in residential and commercial spaces.
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
Jatoba is valued by collectors and woodworkers for its strength, stability, and deepening color over time. Well-seasoned boards with consistent color and minimal defects are typically preferred for visible applications.
Collectors often note that older stock machines more predictably than freshly milled material. Proper storage helps preserve surface quality and reduces checking in dense boards.
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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.
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:
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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Diablo Fine Finish Saw Blade with 60 Hi-ATB Teeth for ultra-smooth and precise woodworking cuts
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• Mirka Abranet Sanding Mesh Discs Assorted Grit Pack for dust-free sanding and fine surface finishing
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• Tried & True Danish Oil Finish for enhancing wood grain and protecting woodworking projects with a natural finish
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