Chancho Blanco
Vochysia guatemalensis
Native Region
Central America
Max Height
35-50 meters (115-165 feet)
Family
Vochysiaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1800m
Regions
- Limón
- Heredia
- Alajuela
- Cartago
- Puntarenas
- San José
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Aug
Chancho Blanco
Chancho Blanco (Vochysia guatemalensis), also known as San Juan or White Chancho, is one of the fastest-growing native timber trees in Costa Rica. With growth rates exceeding 3 meters per year, this pioneer species can produce harvestable timber in just 12-15 years—making it a favorite for sustainable forestry.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Vochysia guatemalensis
- Family
- Vochysiaceae
- Max Height
- 35-50 m (115-165 ft)
- Flowering
- March-May
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Habitat
- Wet forests, all elevations
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
380
Observations
186
Observers
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Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Chancho Blanco in Costa Rica
Primary Habitats:
- Caribbean Lowlands — Natural and planted stands
- Northern Zone — Major plantation species
- Central Valley slopes — Up to cloud forest edge
- Southern Pacific — Wet forest zones
Elevation: Sea level to ~1,800 m (higher than most fast-growing species)
Habitat & Ecology
Ecological Role
Chancho Blanco provides critical ecosystem services:
- Pioneer species — Colonizes degraded land
- Carbon capture — Rapid biomass accumulation
- Forest structure — Creates canopy for succession
- Soil stabilization — Extensive root system
- Aluminum accumulator — Adapts to acidic soils
Wildlife Associations
Animals dependent on Chancho Blanco:
- Hummingbirds — Flower nectar
- Bees — Major pollinator
- Parrots — Seed consumption
- Monkeys — Forest corridors
- Birds — Nesting sites
With documented growth of over 3 m/year in height and 4 cm/year in diameter, Chancho Blanco can produce harvestable timber faster than most native species while providing biodiversity benefits that exotic plantations cannot match.
Botanical Description
Like other Vochysia species, Chancho Blanco has distinctive whorled branching—branches emerge in regular tiers around the trunk. The trunk is exceptionally straight, making it valuable for timber.
Wood Properties
Appearance
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 380-480 kg/m³ | Light wood |
| Grain | Straight | Excellent workability |
| Texture | Medium | Even texture |
| Durability | Low-moderate | Treat for outdoor use |
Uses
Primary applications:
- Plywood — Face and core veneers
- Light construction — Interior framing, studs
- Boxes and crates — Packaging material
- Furniture — Interior, lower-stress parts
- Moldings — Interior trim
- Pallets — Shipping/storage
The light color and even texture make Chancho Blanco excellent for plywood manufacturing. Costa Rica produces significant volumes of native-species plywood using this tree.
Conservation Status
Conservation Status: Secure
Chancho Blanco thrives:
- IUCN: Least Concern
- Abundant in natural range
- Widely planted — Increasing populations
- Pioneer species — Benefits from disturbance
- Excellent regeneration
| Factor | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IUCN Status | ✅ Least Concern | Stable populations |
| Costa Rica | ✅ Common | Natural and planted |
| Plantations | ✅ Major species | Thousands of hectares |
| Market | ✅ Established | Reliable timber demand |
Growing Chancho Blanco
From Seed:
- Collect capsules before opening
- Extract winged seeds
- No pretreatment needed
- Germination 2-3 weeks
- High viability (>70%)
Similar Species
Where to See Chancho Blanco Trees
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Natural Forests:
- La Selva Biological Station — Research plots
- Braulio Carrillo National Park — Natural stands
- Rara Avis Reserve — Old-growth specimens
- Northern Zone — Common in wet forests
Plantations:
- CATIE, Turrialba — Research plantations
- San Carlos region — Commercial forestry
- Sarapiquí — Reforestation projects
- Multiple PES programs — Throughout wet zones
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Tropical forestry research and development
Research institution
Costa Rica's forest management authority
Government agency
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Piotto, D., et al. (2003). Growth of native tree plantations in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. New Forests 25: 1-13
Montagnini, F. & Porras, C. (1998). Evaluating the role of plantations as carbon sinks. Environmental Management 22(3): 459-470
The Chancho Blanco (Vochysia guatemalensis) represents the future of sustainable tropical forestry—a native species that can compete economically with exotic plantations while providing biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services that monocultures cannot. In a world seeking solutions to deforestation and climate change, this tree offers hope.
🌳 ¡Pura Vida!
