Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
Hymenaea courbaril
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
A dense, reddish-brown flooring staple, popular under the trade name Brazilian cherry despite being unrelated to true cherry.
Commonly built
- Hardwood flooring
- Staircases
- Furniture
- Butcher blocks
Appearance
Salmon to reddish-brown when fresh, deepening to a darker russet brown with light exposure.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Dense enough to dull blades faster than domestic hardwoods. Pre-drill for fasteners. Glues and finishes well once surfaces are cleanly prepared.
Common questions
How hard is Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)?
Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) has a Janka hardness of 2350 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) suitable for outdoor use?
Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) to work with?
Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Finishing notes
Very hard and dense, so finish penetrates slowly; takes film finishes well and polishes to a high sheen. Color deepens to a richer red-brown with light exposure. Interlocked grain benefits from careful sanding before finishing.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used jatoba (brazilian cherry), reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.