Honey Mesquite

Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)

Common Name(s): Honey Mesquite Scientific Name: Prosopis glandulosa Distribution: Southwestern North America Tree Size: 20-30 ft (6-9 m) tall, 1 ft (.3 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 51 lbs/ft3 (825 kg/m3) Basic Specific Gravity: .70 Hardness: 2,340 lbf (10,410 N) Rupture Strength: No data available* Elastic Strength: No data available* Crushing Strength: No data available* *Strength properties most likely very similar to  Prosopis juliflora Shrinkage: Radial: 1.6%, Tangential: 3.2%, Volumetric: 4.8%, T/R Ratio: 2.0

Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a reddish brown, which darkens with age. Sapwood is yellow in color, and tends to be thin.

Grain/Pore: Honey Mesquite has a medium to coarse texture and open pores, with a slight natural luster. Clear portions of the trunk tend to have straight or wavy grain: though knots, defects, and other irregularities are common.

Endgrain: No data available. Most likely similar to Black Mesquite.

Durability: Honey Mesquite is considered very durable regarding decay resistance.

Workability: Working properties are largely dictated by the quality of the wood itself. Mesquite that is clear and free from defects is easy to work with hand and machine tools, but irregular grain or knots can be challenging. Glues, turns, and finishes well.

Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: Woods in the Prosopis genus have been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Mesquite only tends to be available in small sizes, or as large irregular slabs. Larger boards free from defects are uncommon. Prices for Honey Mesquite are in the upper range for a domestic hardwood.

Comments: Considered by some to be an invasive species, Mesquite is known to produce great firewood with a high thermal value. Honey Mesquite is prized by segmented woodturners and others for its exceptional stability. Honey Mesquite exhibits very little movement or expansion/contraction due to environmental changes in humidity.

Some common uses for Honey Mesquite include: fence posts, flooring, turned objects, cabinetry, and furniture.

Related Species:

• African Mesquite (Prosopis africana)
• Black Mesquite (Prosopis nigra)
• Itin (Prosopis kuntzei)
• Prosopis juliflora (Prosopis juliflora)

Scans/Pictures:

Honey Mesquite (sanded)	Honey Mesquite (sealed)
Honey Mesquite (endgrain)	Honey Mesquite (endgrain 10x)