Macacauba Wood: Uses, Properties, Pros, and Cons

Macacauba Wood Uses, Properties, Advantages, and Disadvantages

What is Macacauba wood?

Macacauba is an interesting wood that has several benefits. This is the common name for four plant species in the genus Platymiscium. The tree is 65-80 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet.

The distribution of this wood is Central and South America. This wood is also called by other names, such as Macawood, Hormigo, and Orange Agate.

Its resistance to rot is good, as well as insect attack. The appearance of this wood is also quite attractive, although many figures are irregular.

Macacauba wood is commonly used as furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, cabinetry, and others.

The properties of Macacauba wood

The heartwood has various colors, from reddish-brown to purplish can be present. The heartwood also has good resistance to rot, ranging from durable to very durable.

While the sapwood is yellow to white, this is a wood with straight grains, and some are even interlocked. Macacauba also has a high natural luster and a fine to medium texture.

This wood is also good at working with machines and hand tools and only has standard health risks.

Due to some of the above properties, some uses, such as long-term and humid environments, seem promising.

Macacauba wood advantages

Durable: Macacauba heartwood has good resistance to rot and insects attacks. Resistance to decay is in the durable to the very durable range.

However, we think assessing Macacauba’s resilience is not this simple. Because this wood is the common name of some wood species, it seems that the resistance depends on the wood species.

We believe that the durability of this wood is good enough to be used for several things, including for long-term use.

Even though its durability is not rated as very durable, we think it could last for a dozen years.

Moderately priced: This is one of the exotic woods, but the price of Macacauba is not in the expensive to very expensive range.

Because based on the information we have, the price is moderate. Macacauba is also imported under some of the common names we mentioned above.

However, these names still refer to Platymiscium spp. This wood is also sold in various forms, such as flooring, lumber, and others. Even though it doesn’t look as exotic as some very expensive woods, it’s still good.

Expect to get lower prices for making fancy-looking wooden items and to decorate something else.

Workability: It’s a wood that can be worked with both machines and hand tools. However, there are a few things you should be aware of, including rips in the interlocking grains.

It would be best if you were careful when doing this. We think you don’t need to paint it another color, as it’s wood with a high natural luster.

It seems to maintain it better because it looks more beautiful with the figured grain patterns it has.

Turns are an excellent thing to do, and this wood can also glue well. Simple work may be easier, especially if you’re planning well.

Appearance: This is an exotic wood with a pretty attractive appearance. The grain figured shown close to very exotic, but not for costly rare wood. We think making some furniture out of this wood is a good thing, including tables and chairs.

Not only that, it seems like Macacauba turned objects are also something to consider. We think making some decorative items or toys is the right choice.

This will produce a beautiful and nice product when placed in the living room. Other types of work may also be good to do, and It can produce beautiful wooden items.

Macacauba wood Disadvantages

Availability: This wood is not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the CITES Appendices. But it seems that was a mistake or maybe not listed yet because one of the species in the genus Platymiscium is endangered.

The species is Platymiscium pleiostachyum which only has less than 2,500 living mature plants. Not only is the population small, but there has also been a population decline of about 20% over the last two generations.

This is because there was the exploitation of the wood in the past, and it seems that it was for domestic needs because it’s not indicated for international exchange.

Health risk: Although there are no reports of severe reactions, this wood can still cause health risks.

The data we have suggests that Macacauba can cause health risks associated with wood dust. Although this is a trivial thing, this might be a problem for some people.

Macacauba also does not have a distinctive smell, including when it is worked. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Because some woods have a pleasant smell when they are being worked on, for all information about health risks, please look for more details in trusted sources.

Macacauba wood for furniture

Using exotic wood for furniture is a good thing. It can be a high-value wood with a charm all its own. Instead of buying it, we think making it yourself is the right choice.

That might be able to minimize the costs that must be incurred to make a purchase. The quality of this wood is also quite good, although there are some drawbacks.

Its resistance to insect attack and rot is unquestionable. However, it’s not at very high-level durability, still good.

Whether large-sized and long-term furniture or ordinary furniture, it’s good to be made of this wood.

Macacauba wood for cabinetry

Cabinetry is also a great option. However, we recommend not using it as kitchen cabinetry. It can reduce the beautiful and exotic impression of the Macacauba.

It seems that cabinetry in other rooms such as family rooms, living rooms, or bedrooms is more recommended.

It makes the room where the cabinetry is stored more beautiful. We also recommend not to paint with other colors on the cabinetry.

Leaving it with natural color is a good choice. The high natural luster that the Macacauba has makes it look beautiful, but it certainly has to increase it.

Macacauba wood for veneer

Although we think it’s not the best choice, using exotic wood as a veneer is also good. This can make the veneer you have look more astonishing, especially for coating furniture, doors, walls, and others.

Its charming appearance also gives the impression of high value for some objects, especially for often seen objects. We recommend using it as a veneer for doors, furniture, and cabinetry.

The use to coat the walls is better avoided because the appearance figured is quite complicated. Don’t forget to be careful in the process with good planning and good quality tools.

Macacauba wood for musical instruments

Macacauba you can also use as a musical instrument, although we don’t think this is the main wood you’re used to.

Information about the types of musical instruments that can be made from this wood is not yet available. But it seems like the guitar is one of the types of musical instruments that can be made, although we’re not sure about acoustics or electric.

We can only mention that it’s possible for supporting materials only. So, please look for the information in related forums. It seems like you will get more information by doing it.

Macacauba wood for turned objects

Turned objects are one of the best common uses for Macacauba wood. It can make the beauty of this wood look more beautiful.

Even though we don’t think it’s better than rosewood, ebony, or burl, it still has uniqueness. The interlocking and irregular grain figured displays a beauty quite different from other exotics.

It is also one of the woods with varied colors. It seems like creating some turned objects is worth trying.