A Glimpse at Some of the Lesser-Known Woods of Selva Maya
Increased use of lesser-known species helps to promote sustainable forest management in developing countries and provides a critical economic incentive for local communities to manage forests rather than convert them to farms and ranches.
GUITAR BODIES READY TO START THEIR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A CUSTOM GUITARS. MANY WILL HAVE DETAILS MADE OF LESSER-KNOWN WOODS. GUITARS ARE MANUFACTURED USING SOME LESSER-KNOWN WOOD SPECIES, WHICH BOLSTERS DEMAND OF THESE WOODS, SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THE TREES GROW.
PHOTO CREDIT: PRS GUITARS
Increased use of lesser-known species helps to promote sustainable forest management in developing countries and provides a critical economic incentive for local communities to manage forests rather than convert them to farms and ranches. Increasing the economic value of these lesser-known woods is a win-win for the community and the industry.
Whether used in applications like decking, flooring, veneer, or mouldings and millwork, these wood species have the technical qualities and availability to meet the needs of architects, designers, manufacturers, and consumers, while helping to promote conservation efforts in Selva Maya.
Unique Decking Line Featuring Machiche
US-based timber importer General Woodcraft has developed a niche presence with their Mataverde line of decking featuring Machiche wood. “We have been really pleased to connect with forest communities in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve. The Machiche decking we source directly from the communities is a beautiful product that has really performed well in installations across the United States,” says Perry Alibrio, the Western Regional Manager for Mataverde Premium Exterior Solutions. “We know that our customers are glad to support the economic well-being of our partners and reward their excellent forest management.”
This beautiful and durable hardwood has many characteristics that are similar to Ipé hardwood. Machiche (Lonchocarpus spp.), sometimes called Mayan Cherry or Caribbean Cherry, has developed a reputation for being unmatched in bending strength. Machiche hardwood shines when used for outdoor applications, such as decking, siding, trim, furniture, and other projects.
Wood for Musical Instruments
The world has long looked to the Selva Maya for the specialized and beautiful wood necessary to build the finest guitars and other musical instruments. In fact, even today, much of the region’s prized mahogany production goes into musical instruments traded all over the world. But modern luthiers, charmed by the diverse offerings of the forest have introduced new lesser-known species into their musical instruments and the results are fabulous. One of the woods gaining traction for guitars is Ziricote.
Although guitars make up a fraction of the overall exotic wood market worldwide, PRS Guitars continually seeks alternative woods to incorporate into their guitar designs and production. “A major trend in the use of exotic woods for guitars is toward sustainability and diversity, as supplies of traditional guitar woods around the world are decreasing,” said Michael Reid from PRS Guitars’ Wood Purchasing Team. “Our willingness to look at non-traditional wood options, and the openmindedness of our customers when it comes to accepting new woods, will undoubtedly help to sustain us as we continue to move forward through the 21st century.”
THESE DECKING SQUARES MADE FROM PUCTE WOOD ARE IDEAL IN EXTERIOR APPLICATIONS.
PHOTO CREDIT: FORESCOM
THIS RAINSCREEN MADE FROM MACHICHE WOOD WILL ENDURE EXTENSTIVE EXPOSURE AND THE LONG WINTERS OF MINNESOTA.
PHOTO CREDIT: GENERAL WOODCRAFT INC.
THIS TIGERWOOD (GONCALO ALVES) TABLE IS MANUFACTURED USING THE PART OF THE WOOD NOT USEABLE AS AN ACOUSTIC GRADE WOOD. USING AS MUCH OF THE WOOD HARVESTED IN EACH TREE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ADDING VALUE FOR THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED.
CREDIT: PRS GUITARS
SPOTLIGHT ON: PUCTE / JUCARO
SPECIES: Terminalia buceras (formerly Bucinda buceras)
ORIGIN: South and Central America
COMMON APPLICATIONS: Decking, flooring, exterior furniture, as well as well as posts, piles, and other heavy construction when used domestically.
CHARACTERISTICS / APPEARANCE: Heartwood color ranges from pale reddish brown to dark brown and commonly may have an olive hue. Depending on the darkness of the heartwood, the pale yellowish-brown sapwood may or may not be clearly demarcated. The wood has a fine to medium texture and a high natural luster. The grain is typically interlocked and frequently has longitudinal stripes as a result of roey grain. It can be challenging to work and glue because of the high density and irregular grain pattern.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 1,970 lbf
COMMENTS: Sometimes called Caribbean Ipé, this wood is not related to true Ipe. It is known in areas where it grows as an extraordinarily durable wood.
Local Community-Owned Business Produces Beautiful Garden Products from Diverse Species
Forescom, based in Flores, Guatemala, the gateway to the Maya Biosphere Reserve, is a forest services company owned by the region’s forest communities. Among the services they provide to the community is the production of value-added outdoor and garden products. “Our region’s species are stable and dense, making them excellent for outdoor furniture and garden items,” says Glyde Marquez, sales manager for the business. “We have found our local and international customers quite taken by the beauty of these wood species when the pieces are finished and delivered.” Pucte is one of the lesser-known woods they use to manufacture outdoor products.
SPOTLIGHT ON: MACHICHE / MAYAN CHERRY
SPECIES: Lonchocarpus spp.
ORIGIN: Central and South America
COMMON APPLICATIONS: Decking, flooring, exterior and interior furniture, as well as heavy construction in areas within its natural range.
CHARACTERISTICS / APPEARANCE: The heartwood varies from light brown to darker reddish brown. Machiche has distinctive patterns of thin, light-colored lines, somewhat similar to Padauk. The yellow sapwood is easily distinguished from the heartwood. The grain can be straight, irregular, or interlocked, with a coarse texture. Despite its high density, it’s typically easy to work. As in all cases of interlocked or irregular grain, care must be taken to avoid tear out. Machining results are generally good. Turns, glues, and finishes well.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 2,700 lbf
COMMENTS: Machiche has a superb strength-to-weight ratio, particularly in its modulus of rupture (bending strength), and its compression strength parallel to the grain (crushing strength). It is generally quite durable and resistant to insect attack.
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Learn More About Lesser-Known Wood Species of Selva Maya. English Resource | Spanish Resource
Learn More About Installation of Machiche Decking.
Learn More About Forescom’s Products and Initiatives Manufacturing Lesser-Known Woods.
Frequently asked questions
What is Machiche wood used for?+
Machiche (Lonchocarpus spp.), also called Mayan Cherry or Caribbean Cherry, is used for decking, siding, trim, exterior and interior furniture, and heavy construction. It's known for its unmatched bending strength and performs especially well in outdoor applications.
How hard is Machiche wood on the Janka scale?+
Machiche has a Janka hardness rating of 2,700 lbf. It has a superb strength-to-weight ratio and is generally durable and resistant to insect attack.
What is Pucte wood and where does it come from?+
Pucte (Terminalia buceras), also known as Jucaro or Caribbean Ipé, originates from South and Central America. Despite its nickname, it is not related to true Ipe, but is known as an extraordinarily durable wood in its growing regions.
What are common applications for Pucte wood?+
Pucte is commonly used for decking, flooring, and exterior furniture. When used domestically in its growing regions, it's also used for posts, piles, and other heavy construction.
Why are guitar makers using lesser-known woods like Ziricote?+
Supplies of traditional guitar woods are decreasing worldwide, pushing luthiers toward sustainability and diversity. PRS Guitars continually seeks alternative woods like Ziricote, and customer openness to new species helps sustain the industry into the 21st century.
Who is Forescom and what do they produce?+
Forescom is a forest services company based in Flores, Guatemala, owned by the forest communities of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. They produce value-added outdoor and garden products using lesser-known woods like Pucte, taking advantage of the region's stable, dense species.
How does using lesser-known wood species support forest conservation?+
Increased use of lesser-known species promotes sustainable forest management in developing countries and provides economic incentive for local communities to manage forests rather than convert them to farms and ranches. Increasing the economic value of these woods benefits both the community and the industry.