Overview Common and Scientific Names
| Name (English) | Name/s (Spanish) | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
| Almond | Almendro / Cumaru | Dipteryx Oleifera |
| Balsamo Wood | Balsamo | Myroxylon Balsamum |
| Bay Laurel | Laurel | Laurus Nobilis |
| Bitterwood | Amargo Amargo | Tipuana Lundellii |
| Cedar Wood | Cedro | Cedrela Odorata L |
| English Oak | Roble | Quercus Robur |
| Guanacaste | Corotú | Enterolobium Cyclocarpum |
| Guayacan Wood | Guayacán | Tabebuia Chrysantha |
| Mahogany | Caoba | Swietenia Macrophylla |
| Panama Redwood | Quira / Kira | Platymiscum Pinnatum |
| Pine Wood | Pino | Pinus |
| Teak | Teca | Tectona Grandis |
| Wild Cashew | Espave | Anacardium Excelsum |
| Yellowheart | Amarillo | Euxylophora Paraensis |
| Zorro Wood | Zorro | Astronium Graveolens |
Almond (Almendro / Cumaru)
A durable tropical hardwood, native to Central and South America, widely appreciated for its strength and beauty.
Key Features:
- Color: Medium to dark reddish-brown with occasional golden streaks.
- Grain: Fine to medium texture with a natural luster.
- Durability: Highly resistant to rot, insects, and weathering.
Applications:
- Outdoor decking
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Heavy construction
Notes:
- Extremely dense and heavy, requiring sharp tools for processing.
- Sustainable sourcing supports local ecosystems.
Balsamo Wood (Balsamo)
A fragrant tropical hardwood from Central and South America, known for its unique scent and durability.
Key Features:
- Color: Reddish-brown with darker streaks and a glossy finish.
- Grain: Fine to medium texture, often with interlocking patterns.
- Durability: Naturally resistant to rot, insects, and decay.
- Scent: Distinctive balsamic aroma, often used in essential oils and perfumes.
Applications:
- Fine furniture
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Decorative items
Notes:
- Dense wood that can be challenging to work with.
- Popular for its aesthetic and aromatic qualities.
Bay Laurel (Laurel)
A versatile hardwood, valued for its strength, aroma, and smooth finish.
Key Features:
- Color: Light yellow to pale brown, with a uniform appearance.
- Grain: Fine, straight grain with a smooth texture.
- Durability: Moderately durable and resistant to decay.
- Scent: Mild, spicy aroma from its leaves and wood.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Veneer
- Decorative woodwork
- Kitchen utensils
Notes:
- Easy to work with and finishes well.
- Known for its aromatic leaves used in cooking and essential oils.
Bitterwood (Amargo Amargo)
A durable tropical hardwood known for its medicinal properties and toughness, native to Central and South America.
Key Features:
- Color: Medium to dark brown with occasional reddish hues.
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked, with a coarse texture.
- Durability: Highly resistant to decay, insects, and weathering.
- Other: Known for its bitter extract used in traditional medicine.
Applications:
- Outdoor furniture
- Flooring
- Structural timber
- Boat building
Notes:
- Very dense and hard to work with, requiring proper tools.
- Popular in areas where strength and durability are essential.
Cedar Wood (Cedro)
A lightweight and aromatic hardwood, widely used for its versatility and natural resistance, native to Central and South America.
Key Features:
- Color: Light reddish-brown with subtle pink or golden tones.
- Grain: Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture.
- Durability: Naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects.
- Scent: Distinctive aromatic fragrance.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Veneer
- Doors and windows
- Musical instruments
Notes:
- Easy to work with and holds finishes well.
- Lightweight yet durable, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
English Oak (Roble)
A strong and durable hardwood, highly valued for its timeless beauty and versatility, native to Europe but also cultivated in other regions.
Key Features:
- Color: Light to medium brown with a golden hue, darkening with age.
- Grain: Straight grain with a coarse texture and occasional figuring.
- Durability: Highly durable, resistant to decay and insects.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Boatbuilding and barrels
Notes:
- Easy to work with and finishes beautifully.
- Known for its historic use in construction and fine woodworking.
Guanacaste (Corotú)
A lightweight tropical hardwood prized for its large dimensions, workability, and distinctive appearance, native to Central America.
Key Features:
- Color: Light golden brown to dark brown, often with striking contrasting patterns.
- Grain: Straight to interlocked, with a coarse texture.
- Durability: Moderately durable, resistant to decay but less resistant to insects.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Tables and countertops
- Doors
- Decorative paneling
Notes:
- Easy to work with and finishes well despite its coarse texture.
- Popular for its striking grain patterns and large, wide slabs.
Guayacan Wood (Guayacán)
An exceptionally hard and dense tropical hardwood, valued for its strength, durability, and rich appearance, native to Central and South America.
Key Features:
- Color: Dark greenish-brown to nearly black, often with lighter streaks.
- Grain: Fine, straight to slightly interlocked grain with a smooth texture.
- Durability: Extremely durable, resistant to rot, insects, and weathering.
Applications:
- Tool handles
- Flooring
- Marine construction
- Heavy-duty furniture
Notes:
- Very difficult to work with due to its density.
- Highly prized for its strength and longevity in demanding applications.
Mahogany (Caoba)
A premium hardwood renowned for its beauty, workability, and durability, native to the Americas and Africa.
Key Features:
- Color: Rich reddish-brown that deepens with age.
- Grain: Straight to interlocked grain with a fine, smooth texture.
- Durability: Resistant to decay, insects, and weathering.
Applications:
- High-end furniture
- Cabinetry
- Musical instruments
- Veneer
Notes:
- Easy to work with and takes finishes exceptionally well.
- Highly sought after for its timeless aesthetic and stability.
Panama Redwood (Quira / Kira)
A versatile and durable hardwood, native to Central America, valued for its rich color and resistance to the elements.
Key Features:
- Color: Ranges from light reddish-brown to dark brown with occasional yellowish streaks.
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked with a fine to medium texture.
- Durability: Resistant to rot, decay, and insects.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Paneling
- Boat building
Notes:
- Easy to work with and finishes well.
- Known for its attractive color and stability in humid environments.
Pine Wood (Pino)
A softwood commonly used for its affordability, versatility, and ease of use, native to various regions worldwide.
Key Features:
- Color: Pale yellow to light brown with a hint of red or orange.
- Grain: Straight, with a fine to medium texture.
- Durability: Prone to scratching but moderately resistant to decay when treated.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Construction framing
- Paneling
- Paper production
Notes:
- Easy to work with and takes stains and finishes well.
- Lightweight and budget-friendly, making it ideal for a variety of applications.
Teak (Teca)
A highly durable and sought-after hardwood, native to Southeast Asia, known for its water-resistant properties and elegant appearance.
Key Features:
- Color: Golden to medium brown with darker streaks.
- Grain: Straight to slightly wavy grain with a coarse texture.
- Durability: Extremely resistant to decay, insects, and weathering, especially in outdoor environments.
Applications:
- Outdoor furniture
- Boat decks
- Flooring
- High-end cabinetry
Notes:
- Easy to work with, but requires sharp tools due to its density.
- Often used for luxury and outdoor items due to its longevity and resistance to the elements.
Wild Cashew (Espave)
A durable hardwood native to Central and South America, valued for its strength and resistance to decay.
Key Features:
- Color: Light to medium brown with a yellowish or reddish tint.
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture.
- Durability: Resistant to decay, rot, and insects, though less durable than other tropical hardwoods.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Tool handles
Notes:
- Easy to work with and takes finishes well.
- Often used in applications requiring moderate strength and durability.
Yellowheart (Amarillo)
A striking, dense hardwood native to the Amazon Rainforest, prized for its vibrant yellow color and durability.
Key Features:
- Color: Bright yellow to golden, often with a uniform appearance.
- Grain: Straight grain with a smooth texture.
- Durability: Resistant to decay, insects, and moisture.
Applications:
- Decorative woodwork
- Furniture
- Veneer
- Inlays and paneling
Notes:
- Easy to work with and finishes well.
- Highly valued for its vivid color and used in high-end woodworking projects.
Zorro Wood (Zorro)
A dense and durable tropical hardwood, valued for its strength and unique aesthetic, native to Central and South America.
Key Features:
- Color: Dark reddish-brown to deep purple with occasional black streaks.
- Grain: Fine to medium grain, often interlocked, with a smooth texture.
- Durability: Highly resistant to decay, rot, and insects.
Applications:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Decorative woodwork
Notes:
- Difficult to work with due to its density, requiring sharp tools.
- Known for its rich color and resilience in demanding environments.