Texas Ironwood (mesquite)

Mesquite has been sold as hard, dense lumber called “Texas ironwood.” The nickname “Texas ironwood” for mesquite has been ciited in print since at least 1953.
 
 
Wikipedia: Mesquite
Mesquite from Nahuatl mizquitl [‘miskit͡ɬ]) is a leguminous plant of the Prosopis genus found in northern Mexico through the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Deserts, and up into the Southwestern United States as far north as southern Kansas, west to the Colorado Desert in California, and east to the eastern fifth of Texas, where average annual rainfall is in excess of 40 in (100 cm). Several species are found in arid to semi-arid regions of southern and western South America.
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Wood
Mesquite wood is hard, allowing it to be used for furniture and implements. Wood from Prosopis juliflora and Prosopis glandulosa is used for decorative woodworking and woodturning. It is highly desirable due to its dimensional stability after being fully cured. The hard, dense lumber is also sold as “Texas Ironwood” and is rather harsh on chain saws and other tools.
 
As firewood, mesquite burns slowly and very hot. When used to barbecue, the smoke from the wood adds a distinct flavor to the food. This is common in the Southwest and Texas-style barbecue.
   
Google Books
A Natural History of Western Trees
By Donald Culross Peattie and Paul Landacre
New York, NY: Bonanza Books
1953
Pg. 559:
TRUE MESQUITE
Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DeCandolle
Other Names: Western Honey Locust. Honeypod. Honey or Velvet Mesquite. Algarobo. Albarroba. Algaroba-tree. Texas Ironwood.
 
21 January 1989, Austin (YX) American-Statesman, “ous mesquite is eminently useful,” pg. C16:
Due to their heavy, strong, hard wood, mesquites have also been called Texas ironwood. Mesquite wood was used by settlers to make fence posts, railroad ties and wagon wheels.
     
Google Books
Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year:
A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events. Texas
By Steve Price
Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publ.
1996
Pg. 130:
The original beams in the Alamo were cut from mesquite, and a San Antonio street (Houston Street) was paved with blocks of mesquite wood. The strength and quality of the wood is what led to its local name, Texas ironwood.
   
Google Books
The Inside-Outside Book of Texas
By Roxie Munro
New York, NY: SeaStar Books
2001
Pg. ?:
The mesquite “Texas ironwood,” is used for fence posts, for furniture, smoking food.
 
Google Books
’Frommer’s Exploring America by RV
By Harry Basch and Shirley Slater
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2012
Pg. 217 (Texas Talk):
Texas ironwood: The mesquite tree, its wood used for barbecuing and smoking meats or making furniture, its long bean pods used for animal feed, flour, beer, or wine.
   
Examiner.com
Bull® unveils original trophies created for Red Bull MotoGP of The Americas
April 21, 2013
By: Adam Sinclair
On Sunday, April 21, Circuit of The Americas™ and Red Bull unveiled the original trophies designed and crafted by Texan artisans to be presented to the top riders competing in the inaugural Red Bull MotoGP of The Americas.
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The trophy bases are made of native Texas mesquite. Nicknamed “Texas ironwood,” mesquite is a dense, hardy, local wood known for its toughness and its prominent use in smoking famous Texas BBQ. Each piece of wood was harvested from the Plum Ridge Ranch in Uhland, Texas, just outside of San Marcos,