Information sought about Granadillo wood....

[Odie]

I have the Eric Meier book, and use the wood database online. Granadillo is apparently a rosewood, and possibly endangered. Can't seem to find any information on this wood. What do we know about it? Where is it harvested. Is it endangered?.....etc.

-----odie-----

 

[Tim Tucker]

Odie - I can't speak with any authority other than to recommend a call to - or an e-mail to West Penn Hardwoods. They are about an hour from me and must be one of the largest importers of woods from all over the world. They have always been very helpful and some of the staff are woodturners, so they may have some insight to share with you. I am pretty sure I have seen the tags on Grandillo show it as originating in Mexico, FWIW.
Hope that helps get you some information that helps - and please share with us what you find.
T

 

[Odie]

(Go Rams!....but, I really don't care who wins the $20 bet between my son and I!)

This from Cook Woods:

Granadillo​

Deep reds, browns, blacks and occasional violets penetrate through this exotic hardwood. Similar to Cocobolo, another name for Granadillo is Mexican Rosewood, though Granadillo is easier to work and glues much more readily. It is dense and straight with a closed grain structure. Although not a true Rosewood, it is commonly used by many in South America for instrument building under the name Macacauba. Platymiscium yucatanum.


Macacauba is in the wood database:

Distribution: Central and South America

Pricing/Availability: Commonly imported under a variety of common names, and in a number of forms (lumber, turning blanks, flooring, etc.). Expect prices to be moderate for an imported exotic hardwood.

Sustainability: Macacauba is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, although a single Costa Rican species, Platymiscium pleiostachyum, is listed as endangered. The species is estimated to have less than 2,500 mature individuals still living, and the population is estimated to continue to decline at least 20% over the next two generations. This species has been exploited for lumber in the past, but there’s no indication that it’s been exported internationally.

-----odie-----

 

[Brian Gustin]

I actually have some - It was my first ever online hardwood purchase (it was on sale as a "project pack") probably have some scraps left still it's quite hard wood, at the time I got it they had it listed as "A.K.A. Mexican Rosewood" I could probably dig out what scraps I have laying around and take some photos if you want.. AFAIK, it was not CITES listed (But then I had never heard of CITES, etc at the time)

 

[Odie]

I actually have some - It was my first ever online hardwood purchase (it was on sale as a "project pack") probably have some scraps left still it's quite hard wood, at the time I got it they had it listed as "A.K.A. Mexican Rosewood" I could probably dig out what scraps I have laying around and take some photos if you want.. AFAIK, it was not CITES listed (But then I had never heard of CITES, etc at the time)

Thanks Brian......

Actually, I've made several bowls out of Granadillo......just looking for more information on it, is all.....

-----odie-----

 

[Spike Cornelius]

Love the detail on the top.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

I went to hobbit house for some info on it, seems to be confusing and being confused, as to the name and it looks like it is a Dalbergia species, like Cocobolo, and if it is that it's a real Rosewood, anyway this is what I got there is a slew of pictures and some more (confusing) info.

 

[Odie]

I went to hobbit house for some info on it, seems to be confusing and being confused, as to the name and it looks like it is a Dalbergia species, like Cocobolo, and if it is that it's a real Rosewood, anyway this is what I got there is a slew of pictures and some more (confusing) info.

View attachment 43109

Thanks Leo.....

Now that just confuses the issue even more than it already is. Makes me wonder if those bowls that I've turned in the past that were called Granadillo from the supplier, are probably something else entirely. Unless I know for sure what a piece of wood is, I normally just go with what it was called by the supplier. However lately, I've been wanting to give my potential customers a little more information regarding the bowl they are looking at.....so, to ease their thoughts about whether the wood is "environmental friendly", or not.

I have also turned a few bowls labeled as Cocobolo, and while there are similarities, I'm not sure those pieces I've turned are one in the same with those pieces that were labeled as Granadillo.

Is it possible that some unscrupulous persons who initially harvested these woods, are calling it Granadillo to cover up felling trees that are on an endangered list....?

-----odie-----

 

[robo hippy]

Gilmer woods in Portland OR might have info. When exotic woods came up in the old Fine Woodworking, Gilmer always commented. Other than that, I don't know.

robo hippy

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Thanks Leo.....



Is it possible that some unscrupulous persons who initially harvested these woods, are calling it Granadillo to cover up felling trees that are on an endangered list....?

-----odie-----

Happens every day Odie IMO.

 

[Isaac Fisher]

Did it smell like rosewood? Real granadillo has the same smell, but not as strong as some of the other Dalbergia species.