Monkey Pod (Botanical: Pithecellobium saman)

Monkey Pod Characteristics

Wavy, interlocked grain with a coarse texture. Light, soft, and easily worked, but the interlocked grain may cause tear-out or wooly surfaces. Takes an excellent finish but requires filling for a smooth surface.

Color Range

Boards often feature a variety of color (not uniform) from medium leathery brown to dark chocolate brown

Other Names

Algarrobo, Algarrobo de pais, Arbre a pluie, Campano, Carabali, Carreto, Cenicero, Cow tamrind, Dormilon, French tamarind, Genizaro, Giant tibet, Gouannegoul, Guango, Huacamayo chico, Lara, Monkey Pod, Raintree, Rain tree

Some Typical Uses

Furniture, cabinets, turning.

What's the Tree Like?

A rather gigantic tree that may reach 100-125 feet tall with a trunk 36-48'' in diameter. Boles are short, thick, and often crooked.

Monkey Pod grows in

Central and South America; Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Bolivia