What is mesquite wood?
Mesquite wood is wood produced by the mesquite plant (genus Prosopis). There are at least dozens of plants that are categorized into this genus.
Honey mesquite wood is one of the woods produced. Reddish-brown with brown to black straight grain figure.
This wood is rated durable, especially against rot. Useful for several things, such as flooring, turned objects, and furniture. The wood is turns, glues, and finishes nicely.
Mesquite wood properties
Some types of mesquite wood, such as honey, black, and African, are durable to manufacture and Has a good look, especially on honey mesquite wood.
Honey and black have no characteristic odor. But you can get a fragrant scent when you work in African.
However, African Mesquite is rarely available in the United States. Overall, types of mesquite can be easy to work with. However, it all depends on the type of wood used.
Mesquite wood advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
Durable: As far as I know, mesquite wood is durable, even very durable.
It’s based on honey, black, and African mesquite wood data. Therefore, mesquite is good for several things, like furniture, flooring, turned objects, etc.
The mesquite status as hardwood gives some advantages in the market, especially at durability.
We have not found any information about honey resistance to insect attacks. But African and black reported have it.
Easy to work: The functional properties of honey and black are largely determined by the quality of the wood.
Clear, blemish-free mesquite is easy to work, including with hand tools. In comparison, the African Mesquites gives a direct effect on the devices because it contains silica.
But it’s easy to work by machine and with both hands. We think that they are determined by the wood’s quality, although it can be categorized as relatively easy.
Disadvantages
Not cheap: Honey mesquite wood is in the upper range in price, and black in the middle.
We don’t know the price of African mesquite wood. Moreover, African mesquite is not sold in the United States.
In addition, honey and black sales tend to have only small sizes. However, there may also be those who sell in other sizes.
The number of defective wood may be the reason to sell it in small sizes.
Mesquite wood for furniture
Mesquite wood is pretty good for furniture, although the color is not attractive for that. However, its resistance to rot is an advantage.
In addition, this wood tends to be easy to work, although there are some possible challenges. You can make cabinets, tables, chairs, and other furniture worth trying.
But it seems that choosing another hardwood is more recommended. You can use this wood as an alternative.
Mesquite wood for fence posts
Mesquite wood seems good for fence posts, though it may not apply to all types. Its durability is an essential factor here.
Therefore, the mesquite seems to have good durability outdoors; we hope so.
We recommend honey mesquite wood. But other mesquite types may also be good for fence posts.
So, please try it yourself. But we think using metal fence posts is better.
Mesquite wood for flooring
Mesquite wood is stable and hard; it seems ideal for flooring.
Therefore, you can try to use this wood for the floor.
Honey, Black, African, and maybe other mesquite woods are also good.
We’ve seen some bland mesquite wood floors, and they’re very nice.
The colors and patterns are very attractive, especially after doing some work.
You can use the mesquite as an alternative to oak, maple, and cherry.
Mesquite wood for turned objects
Mesquite wood is great for turned objects. One reason is that it doesn’t change when it dries.
In addition, the hardness of this wood seems ideal for it and has good stability.
Black, honey, and African, we think are good. Other types of mesquite also seem ideal.
You can make decorative and functional objects.
Please search for more information about this, Because we haven’t further information.
Mesquite wood for boatbuilding
We got information that African and black mesquite wood is useful for boatbuilding.
Other types of mesquite may also be useful.
It looks pretty feasible for mesquite. Because this hardwood has good resistance to rot, making the water more difficult to make, it is broken.
In addition, the wood also has an ideal hardness and other characteristics.
It should try, although cedar wood seems better.
Types of mesquite Wood
Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
Produces mesquite wood that looks brighter than some other types.
The tree is 20-30 ft tall, with 8-16 inches diameter.
This tree produces wood that is resistant to rot and doesn’t have a characteristic odor.
The price range of honey mesquite wood is in the upper range, with the availability of wood that tends to be small sizes.
This wood can be used for furniture, flooring, fence posts, and turned objects.
Black Mesquite (Prosopis nigra)
Prosopis nigra is the scientific name of the black mesquite, a 33-52 ft tall tree with 1.3-4 ft in diameter.
The distribution area for this tree is the Gran Chaco region of South America.
Black mesquite wood is brown to dark brown with black grains, durable, and has no characteristic odor.
White Mesquite (Prosopis alba)
Algarrobo Blanco is also known as White Black, is a species of mesquite from South America.
The tree is 30-40 ft tall, with 2-3 ft in diameter.
This tree produces exotic brown wood with brown to black grains.
The wood is considered excellent for outdoor use.
You can use it for fence posts, flooring, furniture, and firewood.
Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
Velvet Mesquite can grow to about 30–50 ft (9–15 m) tall and is native to the Mojave, Sonoran Desert, and Chihuahuan.
This tree functions as a treatment for sore throats, stomachaches, toothaches and eliminates appetite.
In addition, the bark can be used for cloth; the wood is essential for firewood and has cosmetic benefits.
Creeping Mesquite (Prosopis strombulifera)
Creeping mesquite is a shrub native to Argentina and grows in arid and saline soils.
This plant can grow up to 3 meters tall, and it doesn’t seem like the wood is valuable enough.
We also didn’t find the information that seems of further benefit, and the picture is clear.
It seems that this species has no or no known function.
Chilean Mesquite (Prosopis chilensis)
Chilean mesquite can be found in Chile, Bolivia, Andean (northwestern) Argentina, and Southern Peru. It’s a deciduous tree that can grow 46 feet (14 m) tall.
This wood can be used for firewood. In addition, other functions are shade and fodder.
It seems Chilean mesquite doesn’t have good wood for furniture and more.
Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis juliflora, tree 50-65 ft tall, 4 ft in diameter, and distribution area of Central and South America and Mexico.
The look of the wood seems to be similar to white mesquite, although there are some differences.
When worked, it has a fragrant odor, is a mid-priced range, and is sometimes sold in small sizes.
Use Prosopis juliflora for turned objects, furniture, firewood, and flooring.
African Mesquite (Prosopis africana)
Prosopis Africana is a tree that can grow to 100 ft tall, with 5 ft in diameter, Has exotic wood with brown to dark brown color.
African mesquite is a durable wood against rot and insect attack.
In addition, the fragrant odor can be felt when it’s being worked on.
The use of this wood is turned objects, furniture, boatbuilding, etc.
Mesquite Wood In Summary
Mesquite wood is wood with many types and functions.
It would be best if you did research first to get suitable mesquite wood for your project.
We think honey mesquite wood is excellent, with its color, appearance, and characteristics.
Honey is also in the upper price range, which proves that this wood is valuable.
However, this wood may not be suitable for your purposes.
So, African, black mesquite wood, or something else you can also choose.
