Common Name: Cocobolo

General Information

Dalbergia retusa is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing up to 20 metres tall with. The straight, cylindrical bole branches from low down; it can be 40cm in diameter[, , , ]. The tree can be very variable in its habit, sometimes low and spreading, at other times tall, with a straight trunk and a more elongated crown[].
The tree yields a valuable timber, although generally only available in small sizes. It is commonly exploited in the wild and the wood is often exported. This is one of 33 species named as being a suitable Hongmu (red wood) timber, used for producing high quality Chinese furniture following traditions from the Ming and Quing dynasty, which makes it a particularly valuable wood[].
Exploitation as a timber is intense and areas where the species was formerly widespread are almost completely exhausted; this is most notable in Costa Rica[]. The habitat has been exploited for 400 years and continuing reductions are caused through cattle ranching and burning[]. Consequently, the species has been classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

The sawdust is said to act as a poison on the people working with it in the factories[].

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitat

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[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are mainly found in the wild growing in sany soils and on limestone escarpments[]. In cultivation they are likely to do well in 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

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[].

Propagation

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[].
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[].

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