Cocobolo lumber being cut in Central America

Exciting news!  We’ve added a new source of exotic hardwood lumber straight from Central America, We proudly present to you;  Cocobolo Lumber.  Cocobolo lumber is a beautiful wood that comes from a tree that grows in small numbers.  Sometimes cocobolo trees grows miles apart.  Cocobolo is both highly prized and very expensive for several reasons:

• Scarcity – cocobolo trees naturally are only a minuscule percentage of the forest.  They reproduce in a random pattern.
• Cocobolo doesn’t grow very large, it grows tall but not wide.  The pic to the right is a large cocobolo log.
• The beauty of finished  product that are crafted from this extraordinary wood.
• Only the heartwood is included in cocobolo lumber.
• It is usually used in goods that usually command big-ticket prices.
• Getting cocobolo is a labor intensive chore because of the remote location of cocobolo trees.  They often have to be carried out, one log at a time by humans or donkeys.

Because only the cocobolo heartwood is used you can see this is one one of the major reasons why there are higher cost per board foot of cocobolo.  Why only the heartwood?  Because after finishing, the cocobolo gives off a deep, rich shine that just screams luxury.  The colors are deep browns, reddish browns and black.  The pattern is always unique but similar with each piece of cocobolo.

Our supply comes from somewhere in Mexico (we’ll talk a little more about this later).  There are a few other countries in Central America we could have procured the wood.  But the hassle involved in procurement is the same in all the countries and the cocobolo in Mexico is preferable over the cocobolo from other countries.  The others have a different, less desirable color (still looks great though).

We have to take special care has to be taken to sustain the cocobolo tree population.  It’s tough to resist requiring the planting of many trees to replace every one of these valueables trees we harvest.  but to preserver the natural diversity of the northern forest.  for every one we Since it naturally reproduces so infrequently and represents such a small percentage of a healthy forest, there are legal limits on how much you can replant after one is cut down.    This is to ensure the diversity of a healthy forest the way Mother Nature created it.

Q: What kind of things are made with cocobolo?
A:

• Cabinetry
• Door, drawer, etc.  handles
• Executive pens
• Chess pieces
• Cocobolo Flooring (rarely)
• Pistol grips
• Decorative inlays and other objects.
• Knife handles
• Guitars
• Bass guitars
• Sculptures
• Art pieces
• Many other decorative wood items.

Q: Cocobolo is used for decking?
A: No.  Cocobolo isn’t used for decking, the boards aren’t long enough.  not because the tree isn’t tall enough for long boards, but because the tree has to be cut into logs that are portable by donkey, mule or a human, for transport out of the thick remote forest areas with no roads.

Q: I don’t need cocobolo lumber long enough for decking, just something 8-10 feet.  Why can’t I find that anywhere?
A: Because the cocobolo logs have to be carried out of remote forest areas that by donkey’s and or humans in most cases.  You see the logs in the picture below.  You know it’s tropical hardwood so it’s very heavy per inch.  They cut the logs shorter to be able to transport them out of the forest.

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Ipe decks are installed all over the world by the most discriminating consumers not only for its aesthetic value but the maintenance free care. High end homes are specifically looking to install ipe decking because it is the gem of hardwoods in all aspects from the deep rich tones to the tight dense grains to the natural beauty only nature can produce. High end clients are familiar with this knowledge, as it has been tested time and again that we can not reproduce what nature has created nor should we continue to try.

Composite decks have tried to reproduce the look and the quality but it still looks like plastic wood with all the downfalls that come with composite products, molding issues, delamination and staining to name a few. There are other woods that are used for decking but the fact remains that the wood for longevity and strength to use for outdoor applications should be ipe. This conclusion is based on research and time. The fact that ipe decking has been specified in projects such as the South Beach boardwalk in Miami Beach, Las Vegas Resort Hotel and the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco alone lends creditability to its longevity.

The Brazilian hardwood color can vary from a yellowish brown to reddish brown in medium tones to almost black shade and slowly patinas to a silver-ish grey tone unless maintained with ipe deck sealer. [NOTE:  here's some photos of some weathered ipe decking]  Ipe decking comes in different width ranging from ¾”to 1.5″average with length from 6-20′ average. Special order sizes are available along with accessories such as handrail system, post caps and plugs.

When considering the longevity of your decking and replacement costs not to mention the down time involved, many consumers realize the value of Ipe.  It is the natural choice.