Jatoba Decking

Jatoba, known in the flooring trade as Brazilian Cherry, is a hard, richly colored hardwood — 2,350 lbf Janka at about 800 kg/m³ — rated very durable and highly resistant to brown-rot, white-rot and dry-wood termites. The heartwood starts pinkish-red to brown-orange and seasons to a tan or reddish-brown; the sapwood stays gray to pinkish.

Its density makes it moderately difficult to saw and machine, and the mostly interlocked grain can complicate planing, though it will take a smooth surface and both glues and finishes easily. Jatoba is strongly photosensitive — it darkens noticeably in the first months of light exposure. Found from southern Mexico and the West Indies through northern Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

Working & finishing

Brazilian Cherry is rated as moderately difficult to saw and and machine as a result of high density. For planing purposes, it can be machined to a smooth surface. Planing can be complicated by the wood's interlocked grain. Gluing and finishing Brazilian Cherry is rated as easy.

Durability

Brazilian Cherry is rated as very durable. It is very resistant to brown-rot and white-rot fungi, and dry rot termites.

Appearance

Brazilian Cherry heartwood can range from pinkish-red to brown-orange when it is fresh, transitioning to tan to reddish-brown when seasoned. The sapwood is typically gray, white, or pinkish in shade. Grain: Mostly interlocked Texture: Medium to coarse

Applications

Railroad crossties, tree-nails, gear cogs, wheel rims, steam-bent parts, tool handles, decking, plywood, furniture, flooring.