Pilón
Scientific name: Hieronyma alchorneoides
Overview
Pilón is a durable tropical hardwood native to Central America, valued for its strength, stability, and versatility in both structural and woodworking applications. While not as visually dramatic as slab-focused species like Guanacaste or Monkeypod, Pilón is widely respected for its consistent grain, dependable performance, and suitability for flooring, construction, and general-purpose woodworking.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Pilón
- Scientific Name: Hieronyma alchorneoides
- Region: Central American Hardwoods (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama)
- Tree Size: 100–130 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 42–50 lbs/ft³
- Janka Hardness: 1,200–1,500 lbf
- Color: Medium brown to reddish-brown, sometimes with subtle golden tones
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Pilón typically exhibits a medium brown to reddish-brown color that may deepen slightly with age. The grain is generally straight, though occasional interlocking can occur, and the texture is medium with a natural, understated appearance.
Key identification traits include:
- Medium brown to reddish tones
- Uniform appearance with low contrast
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium, even texture
Working Properties
Pilón machines well with both hand and power tools and produces a generally smooth, consistent surface. While typically easy to work, interlocked grain may occasionally result in minor tear-out during machining. It glues, sands, and finishes effectively, making it suitable for both structural and finished applications.
- Machines well with standard tools
- Occasional tear-out with interlocked grain
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Accepts glue and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
No significant toxicity is widely reported, though standard precautions such as dust protection are recommended when working with any hardwood.
Common Uses
Pilón is used in a range of structural and woodworking applications due to its strength and consistency.
- Flooring
- General construction
- Interior trim
- Cabinetry
- Furniture components
- Utility lumber
Sustainability & Notes
Pilón is harvested throughout parts of Central America and is not typically listed under CITES restrictions. As with all tropical hardwoods, sourcing from responsibly managed forests is recommended to ensure long-term sustainability.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Guanacaste (Parota)
Unlike Pilón, Guanacaste is primarily valued for large slab applications and dramatic grain patterns. Pilón is more uniform and better suited for structural and general-purpose uses.
Tzalam
Tzalam tends to be denser and darker with a finer texture. While both are used in furniture and flooring, Tzalam offers a more refined appearance, whereas Pilón is more utility-oriented.
Primavera
Primavera is lighter in both weight and color, often used in cabinetry and interior applications. Pilón provides greater strength and durability, making it more suitable for structural uses.
Related Guides
Understanding Wood Density and Janka Hardness
Explains how density and hardness impact strength, durability, and why Pilón performs well in structural and flooring applications.
How to Identify Wood by Grain Pattern
Helps distinguish Pilón’s generally straight, uniform grain from more dramatic or interlocked species found in tropical regions.
Wood Strength and Structural Performance
Breaks down how different woods perform under load and why species like Pilón are commonly used in construction and utility applications.
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
Pilón is not typically sought after as a collectible species due to its relatively uniform appearance, but it represents an important category within tropical hardwoods—those valued for performance rather than figure. For collectors building a comprehensive reference set, Pilón serves as a useful contrast to more visually dramatic species, helping illustrate the range of characteristics found in Central American woods.
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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.
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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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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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:
• Woodworking: The Complete Step-by-Step Manual for learning woodworking techniques, joinery, finishing, and step-by-step projects
https://amzn.to/4v1EYSZ
• Woodworking Apron for Men with 9 Tool Pockets for keeping tools organized and protecting clothing during woodworking, carving, turning, and shop work
https://amzn.to/43SZ9rt
• XFasten Double-Sided Woodworking Tape (3-Pack) for securing templates, workpieces, and patterns during routing, CNC work, edge banding, and other woodworking tasks
https://amzn.to/4xK5yTj
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