Bocote Bowl Created by
Alan S. of Georgia

Bocote is a hard, dense, and fairly oily tropical wood that is highly prized for its dramatic, wild striping. These dark brown or black streaks, which sometimes form in concentric circles, give Bocote its defining look and lend finished products a truly distinctive appearance.

Bocote is favored by woodturners, fine furniture makers, cabinet makers, and gunsmiths (mostly for rifle stocks), among other wood artisans. It is also commonly used for flooring and veneer.

The heartwood of Bocote ranges in color from brown to golden brown — with, of course, those telltale dark streaks weaving throughout — and its sapwood is yellowish. Bocote's grain can vary widely, from straight to interlocked. (In its rough-blank form, Bocote often looks extremely similar to Cocobolo and the two woods can only be differentiated by Cocobolo's orangish tint.)

Bocote is a heavy wood, with a specific gravity ranging between 0.63 to 0.84, as well as  dense (about 48 to 65 lbs. per cubic foot). It can be somewhat difficult to dry, tending to develop surface checking and end splitting, but it's also quite resistant to decay. Bocote is fairly easy to work with (due to its natural oils, though, it is sometimes difficult to glue), and polishes to a smooth finish.

Also known as "Mexican Rosewood," Bocote is indigenous to Central America, South America, and, of course, Mexico (which is where Exotic Wood Group's Bocote comes from). The trees, known scientifically as Cordia elaeagnoides, are typically medium sized, but can reach heights of about 100 feet.

Louro Preto, which is occasionally referred to as "the poor man's Bocote," features a similar appearance to Bocote.

Bocote Peppermill
Made by Nick A. of Virginia

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