Wood Species Guide
Chakte Viga
Coulteria platyloba (syn. Caesalpinia platyloba)
Also called: Chacte Viga, Chakté Viga, Paela, Aripin
What Chakte Viga looks like
Bright orange to reddish orange when fresh, maturing to a golden or reddish brown. Streaks of darker color are common.
Grain and texture
Grain is mostly straight, occasionally interlocked, with a fine texture and a high natural luster.
Working Chakte Viga: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard and dense but it machines better than you'd expect. Keep blades sharp to prevent burning on the saw and tearout on interlocked areas. It glues well on freshly milled surfaces and turns nicely.
Finishing Chakte Viga: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes well and polishes to a high shine. A UV-protective finish helps slow its natural darkening. Its bright color makes a sharp accent next to clear or tinted epoxy.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable against decay, with a reputation for long-lasting fence posts in its home range. Small pieces are stable once dried.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Chakte viga is a small-tree wood, so think accents and turnings, not slabs. It's great for pen blanks, inlays, contrast strips in cutting boards and small boxes. Do your final cuts with sharp blades and lighter feed to avoid scorch marks. We don't stock it; ask and we'll check sources.
Common uses for Chakte Viga
Turned objects, inlay, knife handles, furniture accents, flooring and specialty items.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
Few reports for this species itself. Related Caesalpinia woods are known to irritate skin and eyes, so we treat it with a bit more care than usual.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding; gloves if you have sensitive skin
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No specific reactions reported for this species, but related woods can irritate eyes and skin. Use normal dust control.
Chakte Viga in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Chakte Viga listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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