Wood Species Guide
Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite); other Prosopis species are also sold as mesquite
Also called: Honey mesquite, Texas mesquite, Mezquite
About the name “Mesquite”
Mesquite lumber in the US is mostly honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) from Texas and the Southwest, but several related Prosopis species are sold under the same name. They look and work much alike.
What Mesquite looks like
Heartwood is a rich reddish to golden brown that deepens with age, and the sapwood is pale yellow. Boards often have dark mineral streaks, knots, cracks and bark pockets.
Grain and texture
Usually wavy or irregular with a medium texture. Character is part of the deal: voids, worm holes and inclusions are common.
Working Mesquite: planing, cutting and gluing
Very hard, but it machines reasonably well with sharp carbide. Irregular grain can chip, so take light passes or sand. It glues well. It is one of the most dimensionally stable woods in North America, so it rarely fights you after it is dry.
Finishing Mesquite: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil beautifully and builds a warm glow. The many cracks and voids are classic places for epoxy fills, often with turquoise or black pigment. Seal the surface and fill voids in stages so trapped air can escape.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable and highly resistant to rot. Its stability is exceptional, so it handles Florida humidity swings better than most woods. It is a good choice for tops and flooring.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Mesquite is the poster child for filled-void furniture: crack it open, flood the checks with tinted epoxy and you have a Southwestern classic. Boards are short and narrow, so tables are usually glue-ups or small slabs. Very low movement makes it a great match for epoxy work. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Mesquite
Furniture, flooring, small live-edge slabs, turned objects, knife handles, and smoking and grilling wood.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. It grows abundantly in its native range, and some Prosopis species are considered invasive in other parts of the world.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
Few reports. Skin irritation has been reported for mesquite and its relatives, but reactions are uncommon. Normal dust control is enough for most people.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + dust mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Mesquite and its close relatives have been reported to cause skin irritation now and then, but serious reactions are uncommon. Use dust collection and a mask.
Mesquite in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Mesquite 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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