Laurel / Freijo

Names and distribution:

The genus Cordia (Boraginaceae family) includes very different, visually very interesting woods.

• Laurel(Cordia alliodora), medium weight, walnut-colored, from Central America.
• Freijo(Cordia goeldiana), very similar to Laurel, from Brazil
• Bocote(Cordia gerascanthus) heavy, decorative hardwood from Mexico
  and the rare and extremely decorative
• Ziricote(Cordia dodecandra), also from Mexico.

Wooden picture:

Varying, generally decorative to very decorative.

Properties:

The density of Laurel in the dried state is approx. 0.65 – 0.70 ^t/m3, for wood from plantation cultivation significantly less (approx. 0.^45t/m3). The tangential shrinkage is specified as 5.2%, the radial shrinkage as 2.7%. Laurel is dwindling slightly. Drying is unproblematic, but should be slow for thicknesses over 30 mm. Damping can accelerate the desired equalization effect, which otherwise only sets in over the years. The dimensional stability is good, as is the machinability. Planed and turned surfaces have an appealing matt sheen.
The Brinell hardness of Laurel is 30, comparable to walnut oak, and the modulus of elasticity is approx. 11,500 ^N/mm2. The values of Bocote and Zirikote are significantly higher due to their higher bulk density.

Use:

Laurel, Freijo: joinery, for windows, doors, furniture, general. Interior fittings
Bocote, Zirikote: high-quality decorative and turning woods, musical instruments.