Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba variant) Wood Guide 2026
Hymenaea courbaril
Brazilian Cherry, botanically known as Jatoba, is one of the most popular exotic hardwood flooring species in North America. Despite its trade name, it is unrelated to true cherry. Its salmon-red to orangish-brown heartwood darkens dramatically to a deep reddish-brown with light exposure. Extremely hard and durable, Jatoba delivers outstanding performance in high-traffic flooring, stair treads, and heavy-use furniture applications.
Wood Appearance
Natural Grain
Finished Surface
Key Takeaways
- Density: 57 lbs/ft³
- Classification: Hardwood
- Origin: Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
- Price: ~$9.5 per board foot
- Common uses include Flooring, stair treads, heavy-duty furniture
Quick Facts
Representative reference values — natural wood varies by growing region, moisture content and individual board.
Durability, Stability & Workability
Texture: Medium
Workability: Very hard and dense; blunts tooling and requires pre-drilling.
Fastening: Pre-drilling recommended for screws and nails.
Finishing: Accepts finishes well; dense surface needs thorough sanding for even absorption.
Color change: Salmon-orange darkens markedly to deep reddish brown with UV exposure.
Insect resistance: Good resistance to insects and decay
Ratings and published values are representative reference figures. Natural wood varies with growing region, moisture content and individual boards — treat them as guidance, not guarantees.
Common Sizes & Availability
Typical market availability for Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba variant). Lumberama is a sourcing marketplace — actual stock, widths and lengths vary by supplier. Request a quote to confirm what's available for your project.
| Thickness | Rough | Typical surfaced | Typical widths | Common lengths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 1" | 13/16" (3/4" common) | Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in. | Random lengths 6–12 ft | Request this size |
| 5/4 | 1-1/4" | 1-1/16" | Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in. | Random lengths 6–12 ft | Request this size |
| 6/4 | 1-1/2" | 1-5/16" | Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in. | Random lengths 6–12 ft | Request this size |
| 8/4 | 2" | 1-3/4" | Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in. | Random lengths 6–12 ft | Request this size |
- 4/4rough 1"
- Surfaced
- 13/16" (3/4" common)
- Widths
- Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in.
- Lengths
- Random lengths 6–12 ft
- 5/4rough 1-1/4"
- Surfaced
- 1-1/16"
- Widths
- Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in.
- Lengths
- Random lengths 6–12 ft
- 6/4rough 1-1/2"
- Surfaced
- 1-5/16"
- Widths
- Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in.
- Lengths
- Random lengths 6–12 ft
- 8/4rough 2"
- Surfaced
- 1-3/4"
- Widths
- Random widths 4–10 in.; flooring in fixed widths 3–5 in.
- Lengths
- Random lengths 6–12 ft
Availability notes: Widely stocked as flooring; lumber available from tropical hardwood distributors.
How lumber sizes are described
- Rough (4/4, 8/4…)
- Hardwood thickness in quarters of an inch as sawn, before surfacing. 4/4 = 1" rough.
- Surfaced (S2S/S4S)
- Thickness after planing. 4/4 typically finishes at 13/16" or 3/4".
- Nominal vs. actual
- Construction lumber is sold by nominal size; a 2x6 measures about 1-1/2" x 5-1/2".
- Random width / length
- Most hardwood is sold as it comes from the log — widths and lengths vary within a range rather than being fixed.
Color & Grain
Color: Salmon red to orangish brown heartwood darkening significantly to deep reddish brown; grayish-white sapwood
Grain: Interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture; may show ribbon-like figure on quartersawn surfaces
Common Uses
- Flooring
- stair treads
- heavy-duty furniture
- tool handles
- boat building
- railroad ties
- turning
Key Characteristics
Also known as: Jatoba, South American Cherry, Courbaril, Locust (trade)
Availability: In Stock
Advantages
- Janka indentation hardness: 2,690 lbf
- Heartwood decay rating: Very Durable
- Sourced from Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
- Affordable pricing
- Excellent density for wear resistance
Considerations
- Pre-drilling recommended for fasteners
- Hardness does not establish decay resistance or structural design strength
- Availability may vary
Frequently Asked Questions
Alternatives to Consider
Species commonly specified for similar applications when Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba variant) is unavailable or over budget.
Related Species
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