Resumo. The exploitation of wood energy purposes (firewood and charcoal) has caused reduction in native vegetation, added to this, problems are generated for fauna, flora and soil. The objective of the research was to evaluate the energy characteristics of charcoal Aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão) and Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) R. de Wit). Suppression of five specimens of urundeuva Myracrodruon and Leucaena leucocephala was performed, following quality, phenological and health criteria. Carbonization was performed in duplicate, using anhydrous wood. Also, it was carried out the coal chemical analysis and the determination of true and bulk densities. The gross calorific value was determined by adiabatic calorimeter. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (DIC) and the values were submitted to analysis of variance by the test “F” at 5% of probability level. The Myracrodruon urundeuva wood and Leucaena leucocephala showed no statistical differences, with 41.22% and 40.59% of charcoal. The apparent density of charcoal Myracrodruon urundeuva (0.59 g / cm3) was higher than that of Leucaena leucocephala (0.39 g / cm3), but the species were similar to the true density of charcoal, with 1.21 g / cm3 and 1.11 g / cm3, respectively. Similarly, the gross calorific value of charcoal showed no difference between species the wood, Myracrodruon urundeuva (6869 kcal / kg) and Leucaena leucocephala (6977 kcal / kg). The amount of released volatiles and ash produced was higher on the wood Myracrodruon urundeuva with 33.87% and 3.79%. The fixed carbon content was higher in Leucaena leucocephala (67.15%). The species showed similar energy characteristics so the wood of Leucaena leucocephala can be used for the production and the use of charcoal when compared to the native species which are already known and are used for the same purposes.