The courbaril or jatoba tree (Hymenea courbaril) is widespread throughout much of Central and South America and the Caribbean, with its main growing area in Brazil. It is known by many local names, Paquió and Courbaril being just two of them. The trees usually grow to very stately heights of about 35 m, trunks with a diameter of more than one meter are not uncommon. In Europe, Jatoba is largely unknown, although it is a noble wood with a high resistance class and a pleasing color. Since it has hardly any pores, it is easy to produce even and closed-pored surfaces. The color of the heartwood varies from a light orange-brown to a darker reddish-brown, sometimes interspersed with contrasting darker gray-brown streaks. The color darkens when exposed to light. The sapwood is light grayish-yellow and is clearly distinguishable from the heartwood. Jatoba has many uses, including flooring, furniture and interior finishes, tool handles, shipbuilding, turned objects and decorative arts.
