Guanacaste Negro
(Enterolobium cyclocarpum)
Widely abundant accross the Americas, Guanacaste is notable for its large size and ease of sustainably sourcing large wooden slabs. Despite being considered a hardwoos, it is relatively lightweight and low density. The wood is reddish brown with golden streaks but darker streaks of brown are sometimes present. Its lush appearance helps produce remarkable pieces of solid wood furniture.
More about the species
Family: Leguminosae
Scientific Name: Enterolobium cyclocarpum
Other Names: Conocaste, Orejo, Perota (Mexico), Genicero, Jarina (Costa Rica), Corotu (Panama), Orejero, Caro (Colombia), Carocaro (Venezuela).
Workability: The wood is easy to work with hand and machine tools but raised and chipped grain is common in planing as well as rough end grain in shaping. Tension wood is common resulting in fuzzy grain in most operations. Dust from dry wood is an irritant.
Drying: Seasons with little tendency to warp or check. Kiln schedule T6-D4 is suggested for 4/4 stock.
Durability: The heartwood is reported to have good resistance to attack by decay fungi; also resistant to dry-wood termite attack.
Uses: Core stock, pattern wood, paneling, interior trim, furniture components, and veneer.
Technical Data
Janka hardness: 520 lbs
Density: 340 Kg/m3 or 0.34 g/cm3
Bending strength: 8,500 psi
Modulous of elasticity: 1,050 (1,000) psi
Tangential shrinkage: 5.2%
Radial shrinkage: 2.0%
* All values given at 12% moisture content.