Palo Santo
Palo Santo wood (Bulnesia sarmientoi) is a hardwood weighing about 1200 kg/m3.
Palo santo, also sold as Argentine lignum vitae, is the timber of Bulnesia sarmientoi, now classified as Plectrocarpa sarmientoi, a tree of the family Zygophyllaceae. Kew's Plants of the World Online gives its native range as south-east Bolivia to west-central Brazil and northern Argentina, and The Wood Database notes that much commercial timber comes from Argentina. The heartwood ranges from pale yellowish olive to forest green or dark brown, and darkens with age. The Wood Database gives an average dried weight of 1,200 kg/m3. It is assessed as Endangered, and international trade is regulated under CITES Appendix II.
- Spec:
- FAQ's:
- Uses:
- Links:
Material Type:
Hardwood
Also Called:
Argentine Lignum Vitae
Durability Notes:
Reported to be very durable for outdoor use. (Source: The Wood Database.)
Properties:
Average dried weight 1,200 kg/m3 (12% moisture content); Janka hardness 3,870 lbf (17,230 N); modulus of rupture 20,160 lbf/in2 (139.0 MPa); crushing strength 13,800 lbf/in2 (95.2 MPa). Shrinkage is 4.8% radial, 7.8% tangential and 12.0% volumetric. The grain is usually interlocked, with a fine, even texture and very high natural lustre. It is difficult to work: its density makes it skip over jointer cutters, it dulls cutters, and its oil content makes strong glue joints hard to achieve. It is reported to turn very well. (Source: The Wood Database.)
Typical Uses:
Tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, turned objects
More Info:
Some retailers drop the word 'Argentine' and sell it simply as lignum vitae, but true lignum vitae is a different genus, Guaiacum. (Source: The Wood Database.)
Possible Health Risks:
There are no reports on this exact species, but sawdust from the closely related verawood has been reported to cause sneezing, and lignum vitae has been reported to cause skin irritation. (Source: The Wood Database.)
Sustainability:
Listed in CITES Appendix II and on the IUCN Red List as Endangered, mainly because of projected habitat loss in the Gran Chaco region (The Wood Database; current category confirmed via GBIF). The Wood Database notes that over-harvesting for its fragrant oil, sometimes called oil of guaiac, contributed to its protection.
Interesting Facts:
The wood has a distinct, perfume-like fragrance that lingers even after machining. (Source: The Wood Database.)
No FAQs yet for this timber.
WooduWeigh is a real time calculator that uses a wood density algorithm that allows you to calculate the weight of any quantity of Palo Santo timber. Visit Wooduweigh
If you would like to buy Palo Santo or have Palo Santo ready to sell then please visit the wood trading section powered by Woodutrade, where you can make timber contacts worldwide. Visit Woodutrade
