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Jatoba Wood

Jatoba, also known as Brazilian Cherry, is an extremely hard and dense hardwood recognized for its warm reddish-brown color that deepens with age. It offers excellent durability and wear resistance, making it a popular choice for flooring, furniture, and high-traffic woodworking applications.

Jatoba Wood

  • Lumber

  • 4/4 Rough Cut Jatoba Lumber

    4/4 Jatoba Lumber

    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95

    Brazilian Cherry lumber is a great wood for everything from flooring to fretboards! Jatoba is often also referred to as Brazilian Cherry. The heart...

    View full details
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95 - $33.95
    $16.95

  • S4S Lumber

  • S4S Jatoba Lumber

    Online / Pre-Order S4S Jatoba Lumber

    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95

    Brazilian Cherry lumber is a great wood for everything from flooring to fretboards! Jatoba is often also referred to as Brazilian Cherry. The heart...

    View full details
    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95
    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95 - $40.95
    $21.95

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril)

Pricing:



Average

Hardness:

2690

Janka

Distribution:



Central and South America, Mexico, and the West Indies

Availability:



Readily Available

Appearance

The heartwood ranges from dark, red-brown to light orange brown with sapwood that is light grey-yellow. Colour tends to darken with exposure to light.

Workability

The grain is typically interlocked and prone to tearout when worked with hand tools. It also has a blunting effect on all edge tools and is considered difficult to work.

Uses

Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, hand planes, and other decorative objects.

Additional Comments

Jatoba is exceptionally stiff, strong, and hard—representing a great value for woodworkers seeking high-strength, low-cost lumber. It is a favorite for making long-lasting wooden hand planes.

Have you made something with Jatoba?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jatoba Wood

What is Jatoba wood?

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), also called Brazilian Cherry, is a dense, hard South American hardwood and has a rich reddish-brown color.

How hard is Jatoba?

Jatoba has a Janka hardness of 2,690 lbf (11,950 N), making it significantly harder than most domestic hardwoods and many popular exotics.

Is Jatoba the same as Brazilian Cherry?

Yes. Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) is commonly marketed and sold as Brazilian Cherry in the flooring industry. The 'Cherry' name refers to its reddish color and the visual similarity of finished Jatoba flooring to Cherry wood.

What color is Jatoba wood?

Jatoba ranges from light orangish brown to a darker reddish brown, sometimes with contrasting darker grayish brown streaks. but it darkens significantly with light exposure.

Is Jatoba good for flooring?

Yes. Jatoba is a great flooring wood due to its extreme hardness (2,690 lbf).

Does Jatoba change color after installation?

Yes. Jatoba undergoes a significant color change after installation, darkening to a deep reddish-brown as it oxidizes and is exposed to UV light.

Where does Jatoba come from?

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) is native to Central and South America, growing in tropical forests from southern Mexico through Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

What finish works best on Jatoba floors?

Oil-based polyurethane is the most popular finish for Jatoba flooring. Hardwax oils also perform well and provide a more natural appearance.

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