BRAZILIAN WOOD DEPOT
The Southeast's Premier Importer of Brazilian Hardwoods
 

RealIpe Hardwood DeckingJatoba / Brazilian Cherry:

Hymenaea Courbaril

Jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - decking, also known as Brazilian cherry decking, is the most popular hardwood flooring import from Brazil to the USA. Known for its hardness and durability, this exotic hard wood is a great choice for exterior decking. Jatoba's – RealJatoba - popularity as a decking material is well-deserved. Open-grained like oak, but more than twice as hard, this wood features dark brown or black streaks contrasting with a background that ranges from deep red to reddish brown, darkening after several months to a deep reddish-brown. Native Americans made canoes from the smooth, hard, thick bark by stripping a piece of bark from the tree, sewing the ends together, waterproofing the seams with gum or resin, and inserting wooden crosspieces. Jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - is sometimes compared to mahogany. It is not as porous as mahogany but harder and denser, making it a far superior decking material.

Origin:

Brazil and tropical South America.

Appearance

Like domestic cherry, Brazilian Cherry hard wood – RealJatoba - decking will change dramatically over time from the tan/salmon color with black accent stripes when freshly milled into a deep rich reddish color. In direct sunlight, the color change will occur within a few days. Out of sunlight, jatoba – RealJatoba - decking will oxidize slowly over six months. Water based finishes tend to retard the color change in jatoba – RealJatoba - decking while oil based finishes enhance it.

The Tree: Leguminosae Family

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) hard wood – RealJatoba - trees grow to an average height of 120 feet with diameters of 2-4 feet. Jatoba – RealJatoba - is often referred to as Brazilian cherry although it is not a cherry wood, and has been called Locust or Courbaril in different areas of South America. Jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - grows in most of the South American islands as well as Mexico, Brazil and Peru.

Density and Buoyancy

Janka hardness is 3290, making it extremely hard and durable, 155% harder than Red Oak (1210 Janka). Average weight is 56 lbs./cu. ft. Specific gravity is .91, making this wood dense and only very slightly buoyant.

Drying and Shrinkage

Jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - decking seasons at a fast to moderate rate with only slight cracking, checking and warp. Shrinkage is low for a wood of this density.

Workability

Being extremely dense, jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - decking is hard to cut and has a fairly high blunting effect. Pre-boring is necessary for nailing or screwing, and gluing must be done with care.

Durability

Jatoba – RealJatoba - decking is durable to fungi, dry wood borers and termites.

Preservation

Does not require any preservative treatment. Premium finishes retain the natural color very well.

Uses

Used heavily for flooring, decking, veneer, interior trim, furniture and cabinet work.

General Characteristics

Found in Central and South America, Jatoba hard wood – RealJatoba - is a very hard and strong species, and has shock-resistant qualities similar to ash and hickory. It is also very resistant to insects.