Goncalo Alves is an Anacardiaceae, the sumac and cashew tree family which includes some 600 species around the world. Relatives of the tree include the tropical cashew, pepper trees, mangoes trees, pistachio trees, and poison ivy.

Goncalo Alves trees grow in upland forests in Mexico, Central American and South American countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and Venezuela.

Isolated trees have deeply ridged bark whereas trees in major growth areas have thin, smooth bark, mostly brown with some whitish and reddish patches. Its leaves are pinnately compound. Though the trees grow abundantly, the supplies are limited on a commercial scale and the timber is considered fairly expensive due to the popularity for its outstanding beauty. Brazil is the major exporter of Goncalo Alves.

The species usually listed as sources for Goncalo Alves are Astronium Fraxinifolium, Astronium Lecointei, and Astronium graveolens. Astronium graveolens is usually more straight-grained, less dense, and slightly plainer in looks than Astronium Fraxinifolium and Astronium Lecointei.

Goncalo Alves is a large canopy tree that grow 30-40 meter tall, with a trunk diameter of 1-1.5 meter. The trunk is very good and slim grown and up to 18 m free of knots.

Goncalo Alves wood has a density of 995 kg/m3 at 12% moisture content abd good for producing Goncalo Alves Engineered Hardwood Flooring.

The Janka Hardness Score is 1850 pounds of force. The wood is rated highly durable and has strength values considerably higher than any well-known EU and U.S. species such as Walnut, Cherry, and Oak.
The “Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material,” published by the USDA, underlines this fact by stating: “The high density of the wood is accompanied by equally high strength values, which are considerably higher in most respects than those of any well-known United States species.” Goncalo is also 70% harder than red oak, so it has a reputation for being extremely durable, and it has been shown to be highly resistant to white-rot and brown-rot.

Due to its varying density and interlocking grain, its workability also varies, but as a whole, is somewhat difficult to work with, and steam bending is nearly impossible. Figured pieces with irregular grain can pose a challenge in planing and machining operations. It can be sanded to a glass-like finish. Pre-drilling is required for nailing, but holds screws well. Goncalo Alves can also have a moderate blunting effect on cutters. The wood is very resistant to moisture absorption and can be quite oily, making it difficult to glue. Goncalo Alves turns and finishes well. The name “Jobillo” is sometimes used to refer to higher grades of Goncalo Alves among woodturners.

Goncalo Alves is among the most outstanding and attractive woods. It is a hard and heavy wood commonly used for flooring, veneers, furniture, cabinetry, architecural millwork, wood turning such as bowls and trays, wood carving, inlaying, box making, tool handles, bowls, desks, marine construction, shutters and bobbins, marquetry, and small wood specialty objects such as dampers in grand pianos, pool cues, archery bows, brush backs, pens, knife handles, and jewelry boxes. The distinctive-looking wood is often used with other woods as an accent. Tables and larger projects always look impressive when made from Goncalo Alves wood. In it’s native region it is also used for heavy-duty applications including general construction, solid wood flooring, and exterior joinery.

The wood has superb stiffness, strength, hardness, and durability, making it a perfect choice for sliced veneers used in architectural paneling and face veneering, as well as interior engineered hardwood flooring and exterior decking. Goncalo Alves Wood Veneer is sometimes called Tigerwood veneer. This is a rare wood veneer that is rich in looks and resembles the Rosewood family. It makes a beautiful wood floor with a unique contrasting pattern of stripes, which tends to mellow over time.

Other names for Goncalo Alves are Aderno, Bois de zebra, Bosona, Bototo, Brazilian Koa, Chibatao, Coubaril, Encirado, Gateado, Gomavel, Guarabu, Guarabu bata, Guarabu Rajado, Guarita, Gusanero, Hobillo, Jejuira, Kingwood, Locustwood, Muiracatiara, Mura, Muira, Muiraquatiara, Mura, Rajado branco, Red astronium, Robel gatea, Ron-ron, Tigerwood, Urunday, Urunday-Para, Zebrawood, and Zorrowood.

International names for Goncalo Alves are Gateado (Venezuela), Guarita (Brazil), Guasango (Ecuador), Gusanero (Colombia), Palo de Cera/Palo de Culebra (Mexico)

Further Reading:
Wikipedia
Wood Database
Janka Hardness Scores