Wood Species Guide
Sea Grape
Coccoloba uvifera
Also called: Seagrape, Bay Grape, Uva de Playa, Uvero
What Sea Grape looks like
Heartwood is a reddish brown to violet brown, with lighter sapwood. Twisted beach-grown trunks often show dark streaks.
Grain and texture
Close, fine grain and a hard, heavy feel. Trunks are often short and crooked, so straight boards are rare.
Working Sea Grape: planing, cutting and gluing
Hard and dense, it cuts slowly but takes crisp detail. Pieces are small and crooked, which makes it more of a turning and carving wood.
Finishing Sea Grape: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes a high polish with oil or wax. Its tight surface handles epoxy well once sanded clean.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Hard but not resistant to drywood termites, so finish it and keep an eye on it. Dry small pieces slowly to limit cracking.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Sea grape is a protected coastal plant along much of Florida's shoreline, so you can't just cut it on the beach. Wood usually comes from landscape trimming with permits or from yard trees. It is lovely for turned bowls, pens and small boxes, but it won't give you a table slab. Save those pieces for the lathe.
Common uses for Sea Grape
Turning, carving, small boxes, handles and keepsakes.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. In Florida, sea grapes on beaches and dunes are protected, and trimming them in those areas generally needs a permit.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
Few reports. We found no documented reactions to sea grape wood or dust.
- In the shop
- Normal dust collection + 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.
No specific reactions are well documented. Use normal dust precautions.
Sea Grape in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Sea Grape 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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