Jatoba
Jatoba is sold almost universally as 'Brazilian Cherry' in the flooring trade, which is a marketing name that tells you nothing about the wood. It's not related to cherry — it's a dense, hard tropical hardwood with a dramatic color shift from salmon-orange (fresh-cut) to rich reddish-brown (aged). That color shift is significant: floors and furniture change noticeably within the first year, and sunlight accelerates it. If you're mixing new and existing jatoba, plan for the mismatch. Hard to work without carbide, but durable and handsome.
- Not planning for the dramatic color shift — fresh-cut boards look nothing like aged material
- Mixing new and existing jatoba without a plan — the color difference will be obvious for a year or more
- Using the 'Brazilian Cherry' name to predict working properties — it's nothing like cherry
Freshly cut heartwood is salmon to orange-brown. Darkens significantly to a rich reddish-brown with exposure to light — color change is dramatic and happens within weeks. Sapwood is grey-white and clearly demarcated. Note: often marketed as 'Brazilian Cherry' for flooring; the name is misleading as it bears no relation to cherry.
Hard and dense, but machines reasonably well with sharp carbide. Interlocked grain can cause tearout. Blunts tools faster than most domestic species. Responds well to sanding and finishing. Pre-drilling for fasteners recommended. Widely used for hardwood flooring where it sells under the 'Brazilian Cherry' name.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Specialty importers only |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Widely available |
| Australia/NZ | Specialty importers only |
| Asia | Specialty importers only |
| Africa | Rare / not commonly imported |