Jatoba

Names and distribution:

Botanically, jatoba(Hymenea courbaril) belongs to the Caesalpinaceae family (legumes). The species is found in large parts of Central and South America, but mainly in the Brazilian rainforest. In Bolivia, Jatobá is known as Paquió, in the Guyanas as Courbaril. Jatoba is relatively readily available and grows into well-formed trees with cylindrical trunk shapes.

Wooden picture:

Heartwood initially yellowish brown to pinkish red, often streaked with dark stripes. Darkens strongly in the light. Pores not numerous, medium sized and scattered. Storage cells eye-shaped, also combining several pores in one field. The growth zones are ribbon-shaped. Growth zones are clearly recognizable on the brain section. Alternate growth rare and weakly pronounced, decorative.

Properties:

The density at u=12% is 0.92 t/m³. The shrinkage from the fresh state to 12% residual moisture is specified as 7.1% tangential and 3.8% radial. Drying is not unproblematic and must be slow, especially for thicknesses over 40 mm. Jatoba tends to crack and warp in large cross-sections. The dimensional stability is average. Jatoba can only be worked with increased force, carbide-tipped tools are recommended. Planed and turned surfaces are strikingly hard and dense. The Brinell hardness is 45, with an average modulus of elasticity of 16,700 ^N/mm2 and a flexural strength of 186 ^N/mm2. Jatobá is weatherproof, i.e. it can be kept in permanent contact with the ground for 20 years.

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