Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
A very stable, decay-resistant Southwestern hardwood, popular for rustic furniture, flooring, and smoking wood.
Commonly built
- Rustic furniture
- Flooring
- Cutting boards
- Knife handles
Appearance
Rich reddish-brown, often with dramatic figure, checks, and voids that are typically filled.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Extremely stable once dry, moves very little in service. Small, irregular growth form and natural voids mean lots of waste and frequent filling with epoxy.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn mesquite panel moves roughly 0.14 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Mesquite move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Mesquite?
Mesquite has a Janka hardness of 2340 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Mesquite suitable for outdoor use?
Mesquite stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Mesquite to work with?
Mesquite has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Mesquite move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn mesquite panel moves roughly 0.14 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used mesquite, reviewed before they appear here.
Loading…
Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.