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Bocote Hardwoods

Bocote

Bocote is an exotic wood native to Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. It features a wide range of grain patterns from straight to wild, with curved lines and swirls. The color ranges from golden brown to tan to golden yellow. It is a hard, heavy, and dense wood, strong and stiff, with a medium texture. Mainly used for custom pool cues, cabinetry, veneer, furniture, inlays, knife handles, and pens. It polishes well with wax or polyurethane, and will take a moderately high natural gloss.

Length: Not specified
Thickness: Hit and miss to 15/16 inches

Specifications:
  • Common Name(s): Bocote
  • Scientific Name: Cordia spp.
  • Distribution: Mexico and Central/South America
  • Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 50 lbs/ft³ (800 kg/m³)
  • Janka Hardness: 2,010 lbf (8,940 N)
  • Crushing Strength: 10,000 lbf/in² (69.0 MPa)
Color/Appearance:

Heartwood: Yellowish brown to golden brown with dramatic dark brown to almost black stripes.
Sapwood: Pale yellow, distinctly demarcated from heartwood.

Grain/Texture:

Grain: Usually straight or slightly interlocked.
Texture: Medium to fine with a natural luster.

Rot Resistance:

Rated as very durable and resistant to insect attack.

Workability:

Bocote is generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, although the interlocked grain can sometimes cause tearout during planing. Turns and finishes well, and also glues and stains without issue. Occasionally, natural oils can interfere with gluing.

Common Uses:
  • Fine furniture
  • Veneer
  • Inlays
  • Turned objects
  • Specialty wood items
  • Musical instruments
Comments:

Bocote is highly sought after for its distinctive appearance and workability. The wood’s natural oils give it a pleasant, somewhat spicy scent. Despite its density, it works relatively easily and is a favorite among woodturners and luthiers. Due to its striking figure and color, Bocote is often used for small, decorative items where aesthetics are paramount.

Note: Bocote is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which means it is not currently considered at risk.

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