Lumber Name(s): Jatoba in Brazil, Paquio in Bolivia, Guapinol.

Grown in: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean.

Description: Brazilian Cherry, when first milled is a tan/salmon color w/black striping which turns a rich deep red color over time. This species is the most popular imported species given its inherent beauty, rich coloring and superior hardness.

Color Range: Brazilian Cherry varies from yellowish hues to pink/reds to dark reds with black striping. Quartered selection yields the most uniform look/color range.

Color Change: Like domestic cherry, Brazilian Cherry will change dramatically over time from the yellow/tan/salmon color when freshly milled into a deep rich reddish color. In direct sunlight, the color change will occur within a few days. Out of sunlight, it will oxidize slowly over six months. Water based finishes tend to retard the color change while oil based finishes enhance it.

Where to Use: Given Brazilian Cherry’s extreme hardness, it may be used in residential and commercial installations.

Special Characteristics and Issues: Silica/White Spots are a natural occurrence in Brazilian Cherry and are not considered a defect but instead are part of the species. Pay close attention to each mill's notes which show which grade they attempt to select out those spots which are visible at the time of grading. Note: Even mills that grade it out of their upper grades will still miss some.
Site Sanding/ Finishing: May be site finished with oil or water based finishes. Occasional pieces may have resin pockets that show up as white spots (almost like drops of skim milk) under the finish w/no known method to avoid other than not install these pieces. Always test the finish you propose to use first on test pieces to insure compatibility.

Hardness: 2820

Blunting Effect: Blunting effect on cutters is rated as moderate.

Cutting Resistance: The wood is reported to be difficult to saw because of its high density.

Planing: The wood is reported to be difficult to plane because of interlocked grain which may produce woolly planed surfaces. Carbide tipped tools and a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees are recommended.

Turning: The wood is reported to be fairly difficult to turn but smooth, turned surfaces can be achieved.

Moulding: Moulding operations are reported to be fairly difficult.

Boring: The wood is fairly difficult to bore.

Mortising: The material is reported to be fairly difficult to mortise.

Gluing:Gluing characteristics are reported to be fair.

Nailing: The wood is reported to have very poor nailing characteristics, but it holds nails well.

Screwing: Pre-boring is recommended before screwing, but screw-holding properties are reported to be good.

Sanding: Sanding qualities are reported to be good.

Polishing: The wood is reported to have satisfactory polishing characteristics.

Staining: The wood stains well.

Varnishing: The wood has excellent varnishing characteristics.

Steam Bending: This species is characterized by good steam bending properties and is reported to compare favorably with red oak.

Response to Hand Tools: The wood is reported to respond fairly poorly to hand tools.