SCIENTIFIC NAME
Hymenaea courbaril. Derivation: The genus name is Greek for the goddess of marriage in allusion to the twin leaflets. The specific epithet is a Native American name.

FAMILY
Fabaceae or Leguminosae, the legume family; (Caesalpiniaceae) the cassia group.

OTHER NAMES
South American locust, algarrobo, guapinol, jutahy, courbaril.

DISTRIBUTION
West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru and Brazil

THE TREE
Courbaril (Jatoba) may reach a height of 60 to 130 feet with a diameter of 20 inches to 6 feet or more. Topped by a spreading crown of heavy branches, the bole is usually straight and free of branches for 40 to 70 feet. A yellow or orange-colored resin exudes from the bark and is known as South American copal. It is used in cements and varnishes.

THE TIMBER
The sometimes very wide sapwood is white to gray and is sharply demarcated from the heartwood which often has dark streaks. When freshly cut, the heartwood is bright red to orange brown, but after exposure becomes russet. Odor and taste are not distinct, and the luster is golden. It is hard and heavy with an average reported specific gravity of 0.71 to 0.82 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air-dried weight of 56 to 66 pd. The grain is commonly interlocked, and the texture is medium to rather coarse. This timber has good strength properties and may be used for all normal structural purposes for which oak would be suitable.

SEASONING
During seasoning, courbaril handles well with only slight degrade in the form of checking or warping. Air drying should be done slowly. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 4.5% radial, 8.5% tangential and 12.7% volumetric.

DURABILITY
Courbaril is only moderately resistant to fungal attack when used in contact with the ground or for exterior use. Durability is poor when subject to attack by marine pests.

WORKABILITY
Courbaril is not an easy wood to work, and it may have a marked dulling effect on the cutting edges of tools. It is a good species for turnery, and it bends well after steaming. Nail and screw holding properties are good, glue adheres satisfactorily and it can be finished smoothly.

USES
The timber is used for construction of all kinds, boatbuilding, general carpentry, turnery and bentwood products.

SUPPLIES
In the United States, the supply is very limited. In the past, some quantities have been available in Europe. Wood collectors can usually obtain samples.

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks