Cocobolo
Dalbergia retusa
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree of about 20 m tall with cylindrical trunk that branches from low down, Dalbergia retusa or commonly known as Cocobolo is one of commonly exploited in the wild for its highly valued timber used for a wide range of items including knife and tool handles, musical
Dalbergia retusa is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 20
Where it is found
Found only on the drier half of the isthmus, from Gambia south, but it is never common. Occasionally seen along roads in the Canal area, or in farmland woodlots. Tropical moist forest and premontane moist forest.
Central America - Panama to Mexico.
Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1acd
Countries/locations it is found in
Belize; Costa Rica; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
Other Uses: A unique property of the species is the secretion of compounds that act as potent bactericides, fungicides and algaecides. The heartwood is a very dark red, with faint streaks of black similar to rosewood (Dalbergia nigra); it is clearly demarcated from the thick band of nearly white sapwood. The texture is fine, the grain crossed, lustrous in colour with a faintly fragrant smell. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, tough, and durable in contact with the soil. It is rather difficult to work, but takes a good polish. It is used for a wide range of items including knife and tool handles, musical and scientific instruments, inlay, jewellery boxes, rosary beads, chess pieces and steering wheels. This is the wood used commonly by indigenous people for carving.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
We have no specific information on this species, but members of this genus generally prefer a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun. A slow-growing species. Cocobolo responds well to fire. In areas experiencing periodic burning new saplings and small trees are observed to be numerous. Trees often flower all year round. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagating it: Seed - a germination rate up to 80% has been observed in the nursery. Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The sawdust is said to act as a poison on the people working with it in the factories.
Its other names
Local names
Caviuna, Cocobolo, Cocobolo Prieto, Funeram, Granadillo, Jacarandáholz, Kaway tree, Nambar, ñamba, Nicaraguan Rosewood, Palisander, Palissandro, Palo Negro, Pau Preto, Rosewood, Urauna
Synonyms
Amerimnon lineatum (Pittier) Standl Amerimnon retusum (Hemsl.) Standl. Dalbergia hypoleuca Pittier D