Family: Dalbergia Retusa, Fabaceae Family. Latin name is Dalbergia Tucurensis.
Origin: Central and South America including Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica.
Common Names: Yucatan Rosewood, Panama Rosewood, Cocobolo.
The Tree: The Nicaraguan Rosewood tree is rather short in stature growing to 60 feet tall and is less than 24 inches in diameter. The tree requires at least 80 years to reach full maturity. It is considered a deciduous legume tree and fix nitrogen in the soil. This makes the tree very important in tropical areas where heavy rains tend to wash nutrients out of the soil.
Appearance of Wood: The heartwood varies in color from a pale yellowish-brown to tan and varying shades of brown. Once the wood is exposed to light, it will turn dark red with an occasional black stripping present. The wood will continue to darken with age. Sapwood is pale yellow and clearly demarcated. The grains are generally straight but have been known to have wavy or interlocked characteristics as well. The grain texture can range from fine to medium with large open pores present. Overall, the surface grain is very smooth.
Density: Average reported specific gravity ranges from .58 to .68 with an average dried weight of 42 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 1,210 pounds of force. The density of Nicaraguan Rosewood is considered 50% heavier than Oak.
Drying and Shrinkage: Nicaraguan Rosewood is prone to warping and face cracking or checking and requires great care throughout the drying process. Checks in the wood may not be visible at first but may reopen when kiln-dried or machined. Average reported shrinkage values are 5.0% Radial, 6.8% Tangential, 9.9% Volumetric.
Working Properties: Machining of Nicaraguan Rosewood is moderately difficult due to the occasional interlocked grain that may be present. The wood has a waxy characteristic that enhances the final machining process giving it a smooth and polished surface. In general, the wood works easily with both hand and power tools and retains cooperative turning, gluing, and finishing properties. Also, the wood can be buffed to a good polish.
Durability: Nicaraguan Rosewood is considered stiffer and stronger than its closest relative, Brazilian Rosewood. The wood is rated as durable with moderate insect and borer resistance.
Uses: Turned objects, musical instruments (including marimbas, guitars, and ukuleles), furniture, small specialty wood objects, and fancy boxes.
Availability: The species is listed in CITES Appendix II but is not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; part of the Dalbergia -genus worldwide exportation ban.