Cocobolo - (Dalbergia retusa) also known as Caviuna, Funera, Nambar, and Pau preto, is a native tree to Central America. Cocobolo is a mid-sized, sub-canopy tree that grows to a height of 45 to 60 feet tall with a diameter of up to 3 feet.

            The name Cocobolo originated in Panama in the 1800's from the Spanish words “coco” meaning phantom and “bolo” meaning log.

Cocobolo is probably the most beautiful exotic wood worldwide. The heartwood is surrounded by white sap wood. The sapwood which is as dense as the heartwood will vary in amount depending on the age of the tree and the conditions of its habitat. The color of the heartwood varies when freshly-cut, and is described as a rainbow-hued. Exposure is reported to darken the lighter colors and merges them with the darker colors. The wood ranges from a beautiful rich dark brick red, to reddish or dark brown, with a figuring of darker irregular traces weaving markings of purple or black and various colors of the rainbow throughout the wood.

            Cocobolo is a fine textured wood, which is very hard, dense (about twice the weight of Walnut), and durable. Cocobolo also has natural oils that give it a natural luster, and even a large cut block will produce a distinct musical note when it is struck. Cocobolo lumber is very beautiful, that is known to change color after it has been cut. Although it is now considered relatively safe in its natural habitat in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama, in Costa Rica it is officially listed as Endangered, Rare, Vulnerable and even Extinct, but is unconfirmed because of inadequate records. (More)