Wood species

Espavel

Anacardium excelsum · Anacardiaceae

The wild cashew of Central and South America, a close relative of the tree that gives the cashew nut. Golden heartwood with a green cast that ages to reddish brown, beside a wide gray-to-pink sapwood band; not commonly exported, so an occasional find rather than a stock item.

Janka hardness: 470 lbf
Shrinkage T / R: 5.3 / 2.8 %
Origin: Central and South America, Costa Rica south to Ecuador
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Shop Espavel in stock (3)All live edge slabs

Pictured: Espave Cookie #CC656 71" x 51" x 3.0"

About Espavel

Espavel, the wild cashew of Central and South America, has golden brown heartwood, sometimes with a yellow or green cast, that deepens to reddish brown with age, beside a wide band of gray to light pink sapwood. The grain is interlocked and the texture medium to coarse with a good natural luster. It is light and soft for a hardwood, and the interlocked grain makes planing and sanding fussy: sharp knives, light passes, and a final sanding with the grain. It is rated moderately durable to non-durable and does not belong outdoors. It suits dining tops, desks and shelving indoors, where the color shift with age is part of the appeal. Ours are kiln dried in Zebulon, NC.

Working & finishing

Generally easy to work, though planing and sanding can be problematic because of the interlocked grain and low density: the surface fuzzes and tears rather than cutting clean. Use freshly sharpened knives at a shallow depth, sand with the grain, and raise the grain once with a damp rag and re-sand before oiling. The Wood Database publishes no gluing or finishing rating for it. Reported to cause skin and respiratory irritation and asthma-like symptoms, so dust collection and a mask matter.

Care

Wipe spills promptly and clean with a damp cloth. At 470 lbf it is a soft top and will dent under hard use; use pads under heavy objects. Rated moderately durable to non-durable with poor insect resistance, so keep it indoors and dry. Expect the golden heartwood to turn reddish brown with age.

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