The Mesquite Family

african-black-mesquiteAfrican Mesquite

Scientific Name: Prosopis africana
Location: tropical Africa
Dried Weight: 59lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 2,940lbf
Crushing Strength: 10,650lbf /in2

African Mesquite has a heartwood which is reddish brown that darkens with age. The sapwood has a yellow/tan color. The grain is straight, wavy, or interlocked and it has a medium to coarse texture. The wood gives off a slight natural lustre. Mesquite is rated as durable to very durable in regards to decay. It has a moderate blunting effect but turns, glues, and finishes well.

 

african-black-mesquiteBlack Mesquite

Scientific Name: Prosopis nigra
Location: Gran Chaco region of South America
Dried Weight: 52lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 1,940lbf
Crushing Strength: 8,490lbf /in2

Black Mesquite has a heartwood that is medium to chocolate brown color and it darkens with age. The sapwood has a yellow/tan color. The grain is straight and it has a medium to coarse texture. The wood gives off a slight natural lustre. Knots, defects, and other irregularities are common in the wood. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Black Mesquite is rated as durable to very durable in regards to decay. It is easy to difficult to work on depend on the quality of the piece of wood. It glues, turns, and finishes well.

 

honey-mesquiteHoney Mesquite

Scientific Name: Prosopis glandulosa
Location: southwestern North America
Dried Weight: 51lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 2,340lbf
Crushing Strength: not available

Honey Mesquite has a heartwood that is reddish brown in color and it darkens with age. The sapwood is a yellow color. The grain is straight and it has a medium to coarse texture. The wood gives off a slight natural lustre. Knots, defects, and other irregularities are common in the wood. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Black Mesquite is rated as durable to very durable in regards to decay. It is easy to difficult to work on depend on the quality of the piece of wood. It glues, turns, and finishes well.