Mesquite

Botanical Name: Prosopis glandulosa

Mesquite is known for being the hardest North American wood. In addition to that, it is a common choice for hardwood floors, furniture, and even curing meat. Also, when mesquite is used for flooring, it is a strong and durable. It weighs in at more than three pounds per square foot, at 3/4″ thickness.

Fast Facts

Color: Mesquite ranges in color from a light brown color to a darker brown with red undertones.

Variations within Species and Grades: There is generally only one grade with very little color variation.

Hardness/Janka: With a Janka rating of 2,345, it is the hardest North American wood. Furthermore, it is 82% harder than the traditional Northern Red Oak.

Dimensional Stability: The rating is 3.2 and this makes it 63% more stable than the traditional Northern Red Oak.

Sawing/Machining: Mesquite is not difficult to work with so this makes it perfect for sawing and machining.

Sanding: If the mesquite is plainsawn, it can be sanded smooth with ease, but in other cases, it is harder to sand the rough edges.

Nailing: Nailing will make boards split easily so in order to avoid this, adjust the angle at which the nail is driven into the tongue.

Finishing: No known problems.

Availability: Limited availability.

A Brief Background on Mesquite

Mesquite is a small tree, generally no taller than 30 feet.

When it comes to their size, many of the trees are more like shrubs. Those trees can be found in Texas and New Mexico, California, Kansas and Utah.

Trees are known for lowering the groundwater tables because of its ability to hold water. The tree’s flower even produces nectar that allows bees to make mesquite honey. Furthermore, mesquite smoke is used to flavor meats and other foods.

Durability

The great news is that mesquite is an extremely durable hardwood. It is definitely the hardest North American species and this is one of the most durable flooring choices on the market.

Keep in mind that it should should be still treated with care as any other wood floor would be.

Workability

The hardness of the wood makes it difficult to saw and work with using tools that are not designated for such purpose.

It is frequently used for furniture and complex woodworking designs because it has good machining qualities.

Where to Use

Mesquite can be used in residential and commercial settings.

Furthermore, it works well in high traffic areas, and even in areas where moisture may be a concern.

Care and Maintenance

Though it will likely be able withstand more from pets and young children without showing visible signs of damage, it is still important to take good care of it.

Take measures in order to protect the finish by using rugs and mats. This reduces the dirt and debris that gets carried in on. We do not recommend you wearing high heels on your flooring.

Furthermore, use a cloth mop at least once a week or use a broom and vacuum.

Environmental Issues

Mesquites grow in shaded areas where other trees don’t generally flourish. This is because they take most of the water from the ground and make it harder for some other plants and trees to thrive in areas around them.