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What is massaranduba?

The Wood Guide · The wood register

Tropical hardwood · reference

Massaranduba

Also called balatá or Brazilian cherry. Exceptionally hard, deep reddish brown and so heavy you can build a deck with it that your grandchildren will still use.

  • South America
  • Tree 30–50 m
  • Extremely hard
Manilkara bidentata
Massaranduba wood sample: fine, straight grain (Manilkara bidentata)
Massaranduba wood sample: fine, straight grainManilkara bidentata
Reddish-brown massaranduba staves in a windmill's lantern pinion (Molen De Hoop, Appel)
Reddish-brown massaranduba staves in a windmill's lantern pinionMolen De Hoop, Appel
In pictures · Massaranduba1 / 6
Chapter 1 · The species

Massaranduba

Also called balatá or Brazilian cherry. Exceptionally hard, deep reddish brown and so heavy you can build a deck with it that your grandchildren will still use.

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Summary

Massaranduba in brief

A tropical hardwood from the rainforests of South America — Brazil, Suriname, Guyana and Venezuela.

The tree reaches 30 to 50 metres, with a straight trunk 0.6 to 1.5 metres in diameter. The heartwood ranges from reddish brown to dark brown and darkens over the years; the sapwood is pale yellow to pinkish and clearly lighter.

The texture is fine to medium with a straight grain, although interlocked grain does occur. The wood has a natural, moderate lustre and a density that puts it among the heaviest commercial timbers.

Another misleading name

In the trade, Brazilian cherry covers two very different species: massaranduba and jatoba. They look alike in colour but behave very differently. Always ask for the botanical name.

Other names
balatá, Brazilian cherry
Origin
Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela
Tree
30 to 50 m, trunk 0.6 to 1.5 m
Heartwood
reddish brown to dark brown, darkens
Sapwood
pale yellow to pinkish
Texture
fine to medium, straight grain

To be fair: massaranduba checks and moves a lot. It is one of the least stable tropical hardwoods: as humidity changes it shrinks and swells noticeably, and the ends are prone to splitting. For decking boards that means: buy kiln-dried, choose narrower boards and leave generous gaps.

Measurable

Appearance and structure

Colour

Reddish-brown to dark-brown heartwood that darkens further over time. Pale yellow to pinkish sapwood — clearly distinguishable and not durable.

Texture and grain

Fine to medium with a straight grain; interlocked grain does occur and makes planing harder.

Lustre

A natural, moderate lustre that becomes clearly stronger after oiling.

Hardness

Exceptional. Massaranduba is among the hardest commercially available timbers — pre-drilling is essential.

Uses

What massaranduba is used for

Use Suitable? What to look for
Decking and boardwalks Very suitable Kiln-dried, narrow boards, generous gaps
Heavy structures Very suitable Bridges, jetties, load-bearing beams
Indoor flooring Good Extremely hard-wearing; does change colour in light
Furniture Reasonable Heavy and hard to work
Railway sleepers and posts Good Traditional use in South America
Fine joinery Not recommended Moves too much for dimensionally precise work
Installation advice

Because massaranduba moves a lot, board width is decisive: the narrower the board, the less movement across its width. Choose decking boards no wider than 12 to 14 centimetres, leave a gap of at least 6 millimetres, and seal the end grain before fitting.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about massaranduba

Is massaranduba the same as jatoba?

No, although both are sold as Brazilian cherry. Jatoba is Hymenaea courbaril and moves much less; massaranduba is denser, harder and less stable.

Why does massaranduba split?

Because of its high density combined with heavy shrinkage: the surface dries faster than the core, and the stress is released as splits in the end grain. Kiln-dried wood and sealed ends limit it.

How heavy is massaranduba?

It is among the heaviest commercial timbers, comparable with ipé and azobé. Don't expect to lift the boards on your own.

Does massaranduba need oiling?

Not for its lifespan — it is naturally durable. But a yearly coat of oil does help to keep the colour and limit splitting, especially on the end grain.

More in The Wood Guide

Massaranduba in perspective

Indestructible decking wood that only works out if you plan for its movement.

To The Wood Guide Best wood for decking How wood moves

Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Manilkara bidentata — Jean-Pierre Chéreau & Roger Culos, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Molen De Hoop, Appel — Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0

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