Comments: Pod Mahogany is so named for its often figured, highly chatoyant appearance which resembles mahogany, and the trees from which the wood is cut are pod bearing. Although it has traditionally been used as an ornamental or accent wood, it has enjoyed a recent surge of popularity among turners for its fine aesthetic and turning properties. Its texture is fine and uniform, with a rich natural luster. The vast majority of what os made available in the US is former of the two — the less dense variety. It has also been misidentified as also originating from the Dalbergia Frutescens tree by many sources / authorities, after originally being miscategorized as a non-Dalbergia (“Physocalymma Scaberrima”). While possessing a moderate hardness and density, it has generally cooperative working properties, but can gum up cutters and blades. Since the exportation ban on Brazilian Rosewood, more than twenty years ago, it has become a popular substitute with corporate guitar manufacturers (electric and acoustic, alike) — due in large part to its historically steady supply and relatively low cost (compared with other Dalbergia’s). Once a great American utility-wood stable, obtaining long boards of American Elm, presently, can prove to be a most difficult task. Given this, it’s little wonder that finding any Pink or Red Ivory beyond small craft-sized pieces has proven a very difficult task in the US. It is a dimensionally stable wood, but it requires sharp blades and precise-angled cuts to get acceptable results when resawing this wood. Its heartwood is among the most durable of all the exotics in the world, but the sapwood can be susceptible to bug holes. Common Uses: Shipbuilding, commercial & residential construction, furniture, woodturning and carving. It’s interlocked grains are akin to other African woods and generally produce a characteristic contrasting light-dark / two-toned sort of appearance, when quartersawn — which can be visually stunning in the case of more chatoyant boards. Sapale is renowned for its sometimes quite dramatic figuring, which comes in an array of different styles: ribbon, pommele, quilted, mottled, waterfall, wavy, beeswing, tiger-striped and fiddleback. Supplying a large selection of quality species from all over the world. Its combination of relatively light weight, rot & insect resistance and impressive tensil strength has yielded the wood to a variety of indoor and outdoor uses, being particularly well suited for flooring in heavy traffic areas. In it, they list its Janka Hardness rating as 940 lbf. Its heartwood is light-medium to medium brown, with a tint that can range from muted gold to a pale red. Its unmistakable sapwood is pale yellow in color. Get this wood while you can, as its exportation will more than likely only become more restricted in the next year or two. Iroko is a very tough, durable wood that has been traditionally used in a multitude of applications in its native Africa. Examples can vary dramatically in appearance, one from another — so much so that they could easily be thought to be of different, unrelated species. The species is known to be difficult to dry, with pieces sometimes warping during the kiln drying process. Pernambuco is renown for its use in the making of violin bows. (Sapwood is easily distinguishable, with its pale yellow coloration.) Pieces which feature dramatic figuring and chatoyance, like its namesake, are not uncommon, either. Common Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, joinery, veneer, decorative trim, plywood, paneling, ship building, fixtures, flooring, pianos, gunstocks, turnings, carvings, fuelwood and utility applications. Darker colored stripes in patterns (which can be symmetrical or irregular) are how the comparisons to Zebrano are drawn, although they are related: each of their respective genera are part of the Detarieae tribe, in the subfamily, Caesalpinioideae. This is indicative of the fact that it is the world’s most popular, sought-after mahogany, and the standard by which all other mahoganies are compared. Like American Beech, this wood features pale cream coloration, also often augmented by a pink or muted light reddish-brown hue. Ambrosia Maple is a general term attached to a variety of Acer (true maple) species whose boards included colorful bug “trails” — caused by a fungus carried by the Ambrosia Beetle which penetrates the tree sap as the beetle eats into the tree, and it spreads both through the worm hole and up and down in the tree (carried along by the sap) and causes discoloring of the wood in streaks. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! Common Uses: Carpentry, furniture, veneer, fuelwood, interior & exterior utility, carvings, turnings and various small specialty items. It must be worked carefully with only the sharpest of tools. Common uses: Veneer, plywood, boxes, crates, turned objects, interior trim, and other small specialty wood items. Welcome to Exotic Hardwoods UK Ltd, specialists in the import and export of exotic hardwoods from all over the World. Sipo Mahogany (commonly referred to as either just “Sipo” or “Utile”) is an African wood that is considered to be the closest, aesthetically, to Genuine Mahogany (although not a true “Swietenia”). Japanese Cedar is the national tree of Japan, where it is highly-prized for the scented, strong-but-lightweight timber it produces. ), inlay, carving, tool handles, and other turned objects. (… considered to be a species of ‘least concern’ to CITES, presently.). Granadillo is known throughout Central America as “the wood that sings.” It has long been considered a quite viable “rosewood alternative,” receiving greater attention and steadily growing in popularity since the exportation ban on Brazilian Rosewood, almost 25 years ago. Sapwood typically has a yellow tint and is commonly seen in boards. Common Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, interior trim, musical instruments, veneer, turnings, and small specialty items. Comments: The tree is known for its toxic milky latex, that exudes from all parts of it. Black Cherry is an important domestic hardwood, long associated with fine furniture and a favorite of many master craftsmen. Zebrawood is a tough, durable, visually striking West African wood whose heartwood base color — which can range from tan to a dull pale yellow, to a muted off-white / almost gray hue, depending on specific region and consitions of growth — is decorated by dark brown striping of varying degrees (ranging to almost black), hince its name. Common Uses: Veneer, furniture, cabinetry, guitar building, and decorative and trim uses. Common Uses: Flooring, boatbuilding, walking sticks, handles, construction, exterior utility wood, furniture, and turned objects. As far as working characteristics are concerned, Yellowheart is generally very cooperative for a fairly dense and durable wood. Sustainability: Not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is classified as a species of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Its tough, durable nature saw it used as an exterior wood in the region. For use in any finished products, a hard, protective finish is recommended, as basswood is decidedly non-durable. Its grains are more likely to be wavy or irregular than straight, with a fine texture and nice natural luster. (This is where it gets tricky.) Holly is an interesting domestic wood. Its grains are generally straight (although sometimes interlocked or irregular), but its texture is coarse and uneven. This is a list of woods, most commonly used in the timber and lumber trade. There are actually two different types of wood which are known as Pau Ferro: the most common one is also known as Bolivian Rosewood, and Morado; the other one is significantly more dense (generally around 50% more), and is known also as Brazilian Ironwood and Brazilwood. The tannins preserve the wood, which spends generations in waters depleted of oxygen that would normally cause decay. Small surface checks — pesky lines which refuse to sand out — are common. (By comparison, Sitka Spruce trees are far more massive in stature.) Comments: This is another wood that is sometimes utilized as a ‘mahogany substitute.’ It is generally very cooperative when worked and it turns well, also. For this reason, it is generally harvested during the winter months and not left to air dry for very long before making it into a kiln. The wood is prized among many acoustic guitar luthiers, for its superior resonance and tonal response qualities when used as a soundboard (acoustic guitar top). Sustainability: This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Sustainability: This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices. What isn’t exported abroad is said to be hoarded by rich, hierarchical families throughout Africa, as the wood is considered to be on the same level of value as diamonds and emeralds. The wood has become increasingly more popular with veneer manufacturers, furniture craftsmen and guitar luthiers over the course of the last two decades, as it is a very durable, easy-to-work and -finish wood that is moderately priced for an exotic import. Common Uses: Veneer, high-end cabinetry, billiard cues, musical instruments, turning, crafts and other small specialty items. Despite its great popularity throughout southern Africa, its sawdust can be quite harmful to the eyes (even being reputed to cause blindness, in extreme cases of repeated exposure). Sustainability: This species is listed in CITES Appendix II and the IUCN reports it as being “near threatened.”. It remains one of the most coveted and sought-after of all figured maple varieties. Unless action is taken to stem the tide (of poaching), Ziricote and other Central American woods could very well be the subject of actions from CITES in the very near future. It is less oily, also, which adds up to some generally very cooperative working, turning, gluing and finishing properties. Palms are known for their signature trunks, with gradually shrink in diameter, from the ground to its top. Grains are generally straight, though sometimes interlocked. We find this dust to be no more “toxic” than any other true Dalbergia rosewood, with such affects being attributable more to the sheer mass of dust created than anything unusually threatening about the dust’s chemical makeup. Comments: Basswood has come into vogue over the three decades as an electric guitar body wood, given its lightweight, resonant quality. When found, they command a premium price. Sustainability: This species is not currently listed in the CITES Appendices; it has yet to be recognized by the IUCN. Please order by item number. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Tour Edge’s Exotics C721 family of metalwoods (driver, fairway woods, hybrids) employ more weight-saving carbon composite than any clubs in company history. *Due to cites restrictions, we are unable to ship East Indian Rosewood internationally. Its trees are also known as “Sugar Maple,” being the primary species tapped for maple syrup. The wood’s aesthetics can vary greatly, as Anegre is comprised of three separate Pouteria-genus species. ), harp bodies, moldings, picture frames, turnings and small specialty objects. Heartwood color gradually fades with continued UV ray exposure. Undisturbed specimens have reached heights of 100 feet, and some have been reputed to be as old as 3500 years! Madagascar Rosewood’s exportation was once again banned in 2015, but between an unwaivering demand for the lumber and continuing poverty throughout the region, the illegal logging trade has continued (despite bans). Its color ranges from a light beige to light brown, with medium to dark brown grain stripes. It has a light to medium reddish-brown hue, with contrasting rays that are slightly darker can range anywhere from a muted brown to gray color. Comments: Sapele makes a great alternative to Honduran (“Genuine”) Mahogany. It is quite dimensionally stable and fairly easy to work except when the pieces are highly figured or have heavily interlocked grains. Elm’s heartwood colors range from a muted tan, to light to medium reddish brown. Sustainability: Not listed in the CITES Appendices, however Juglans Neotropica is classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Exotic Wood. Exotic Woods at wholesale prices World Timber Corporation is a family owned and operated direct importer of exotic lumber. Of these lighter maples, Red Maple has the most weight and density, and is also the most prevalent — growing in areas scattered all over the Eastern US and up into (Eastern) Canada. Comments: Most relevant, from our perspective, is the fact the many people refer to this wood as “Indian Rosewood,” which is inaccurate; Sissoo (Dalbergia Sissoo) is also known through its natural region as “Indian Rosewood.”. Red Oak has a light brown heartwood color, with a reddish tint. Other than the knots, the wood poses no difficult challenges for working, glue and finishing. Comments: Before chewing gum manufacturers went the synthetic route, the latex derived from the Dyera Costulata trees’ sap kept the species in steady demand. Address: California Exotic Hardwoods DBA: California Luthier Supplies Inc. 5582 E La Palma Ave Anaheim, California 92807; Phone: (714) 929-1234 Email: info@californiaexotichardwoods.com It ranges massively in color and can have some stunning figures as a result. Also worth mentioning is Sonokeling: a true Dalbergia indigenous to Indonesia — where it is also known as “Jacaranda.” Many sources consider this wood and East Indian Rosewood to be of the same species (Dalbergia Latifolia), however tree farmers in Indonesia are not in agreement with this assessment. Sustainability: This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Alaskan Cedar has been a wood embroiled in controversy with botanical and wood experts, historically, as the wood has experienced its genus reclassified on six different times over the course of the last two centuries. ), also. Comments: Himalayan Cedar was introduced to Europe in 1822, and to the United States, nine years later, in 1831. The Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera) tree is the tallest of all Eastern US hardwoods; the wood it yields is some of the least dense. Common Uses: Fine furniture, knife handles, turnings, veneers, and other small specialty objects. The wood has a beautiful banded figure and a satin-like lustre, with an oily surface. Denser than East Indian Rosewood, Honduran Rosewood is well known for being the preferred wood for Marimba bars, with its ringing, well-rounded tonal properties. However, great care is required when handling, to avoid it cracking. While it is most commonly found in the softer maples, it is also seen regularly in Hard Maples, which is what we offer. Its grains are typically straight (although sometimes wavy, or even interlocked) with a high natual oil content. The fungal residue left behind as it digs into the maple can cause discoloration throughout the wood, via the tree’s sap, in addition to the dramatically contrasting (mostly) blue and (sometimes) green trails which surround the small tunnels they chew. Comments: Its more heavy, dense nature lends Red Maple to a greater variety of utility applications, versus its less substantial Soft Maple cousins. Comments: Although Berlinia’s introduction to the US exotic woods market was a rather recent one, it has quickly proven to be an interesting, unique lumber. By the late ’80’s, both Canada’ and the US’s Elms were, numerically, not far from extinction. It was pushed close to the brink of extinction back in the 18th century, thus its current “endangered” status and very limited availability come as no surprise. Sustainability: This species is listed in CITES Appendix II, but not yet on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Common Uses: Veneer, cabinetry, furniture, millwork, and plywood. This is an oak hardwood species not often seen or found in great abundance outside of Western & Southwestern Europe. There are also justified concerns that the tiny voids may occur sometime after the wood has been put into service. Comments: When many people think of the wood synonymous with Brazilian, they immediately think of Brazilian Rosewood. While the term “boxwood” has become quite convoluted over time, this species — Buxus macowanii — is considered a close cousin to ‘the original boxwood.’ (Buxus sempervirens). It is a tough, durable wood, usually possessing fairly cooperative working properties — although its silica content can gum up blades and cutting tools, and there can be tearout issues with boards with interlocking grain patterns. Other than the difficulties in drying, it has good working properties; it machines, turns, glues and finishes well. Oak is fairly common, oak burl is an exotic form of it as is figured oak, spalted oak, etc. Just asking for Limba from anyone is a spin of the roulette wheel. Its sometimes wavy grain patterns can make it a very aesthetically pleasing exotic wood, as well. Pink Ivory remains one of the most elusive, coveted and highly desirable of all the world’s many exotic woods. Sapwood is easily distinguishable by its dull off-white to pale yellow hue. Sustainability: This species is listed in CITES Appendix II , but is not yet in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Its grains can be straight, wavy or interlocked, with generally a medium texture and nice natural luster (due in part to a somewhat high silica content).