Trade Names
Macawood, Coyote, Granadillo
Latin Names
Platymiscium yucatanium
Similar to
Cocobolo, Kingwood, Santos Rosewood
Origin
Tropical South and Central America, from South Mexico to the Brazilian Amazon region
Range
Grenadillo is mainly growing in the humid regions of the Central American tropics. The tree can reach heights of up to 40 m. Very often, Grenadillo is compared with other wood species, frequently with Cocobolo. Although Grenadillo is less shiny than Cocobolo, it is relatively similar to it. However, Grenadillo can be found considerably more often than Cocobolo.
Uses
Being an excellent and less expensive alternative to Rosewood or Cocobolo due to its similar appearance, Grenadillo is used as well for exclusive furniture, both as veneer as well as solid wood. The wood is also used for instrument making. Special products such as violin bows or billiard cues are made of Grenadillo, too.
Properties
The highly decorative wood shows a color spectrum ranging from dark purple to various shades of red up to dark brown, and it is often streaked with darker or lighter stripes, however, less spectacular than Rosewood or Cocobolo.
Machining
Problem-free, smooth and closed surfaces can be produced without difficulty.
Seasoning
Grenadillo only has a slight tendency to check and warp when being dried. Apart from that, drying presents no problem.
Finishing
Grenadillo takes lacquers and other surface finishes without any problems.
Jointing
Nail, screw and glue joints hold firmly and can be carried out problem-free.