Bocote

Bocote (Cordia spp.)

Common Name(s): Bocote

Scientific Name: Cordia spp.

Distribution: Most species come from Mexico and Central/South America, though certain species occur in Africa

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 59 lbs/ft³ (940 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .74

Hardness: 2,200 lb_f (9,790 N)

Bending Strength: 17,100 lb_f/in² (117,930 kPa)

Elasticity: 1,790,000 lb_f/in² (12,350 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 11.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Color/Appearance: Has a yellowish brown body with dramatic dark brown to almost black stripes. Color tends to darken with age. Also, the grain patterning can be quite striking, particularly on flatsawn areas. It’s not uncommon to see many “eyes” and other figuring in Bocote: though unlike knots, they do not seem to present any special challenges in machining.

Grain/Pore: Typically medium to small pores, with a medium texture and a naturally oily/waxy feel. The grain on most decorative pieces is usually figured in some way, and also tends to be interlocked; though pieces with plain and straight grain can also be found.

Durability: Heartwood is rated from moderately durable to very durable depending on the species; it is susceptible to insect attack.

Workability: Some species may contain silica that will dull cutters. On the whole, Bocote is easily worked and machined with good results. Although Bocote has a fairly high amount of natural oils present, gluing is usually problem-free. (See the article on gluing oily tropical hardwoods for more information.) Bocote also turns and finishes well.

Smell: Bocote has a moderate scent when being worked that resembles dill pickles.

Safety: Bocote has been shown to cause cross reactions once an allergic sensitivity to certain woods has been developed. Woods that can cause initial sensitivity include: Pau Ferro, Macassar Ebony, Cocobolo, and most Rosewoods. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Likely to be somewhat expensive, close to other mid-to-high priced exotics such as Zebrawood or Cocobolo.

Comments: With its striking, zebra-like contrasts, and bold figuring, Bocote can be a very eye-catching wood. Bocote is generally used for its aesthetic attributes, rather than its mechanical ones; and although Bocote is by no means weak, its strength-to-weight ratio is below average. (It is roughly as stiff and strong as Hard Maple, even though Bocote is considerably heavier.)

Common uses include: fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, boat-building, musical instruments, gunstocks, turned objects, and other small specialty wood items.