What is massaranduba?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Tropical hardwood · referenceMassaranduba
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
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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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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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?
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.
Massaranduba in perspective
Indestructible decking wood that only works out if you plan for its movement.
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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