Pterocarpus dalbergiodes
family Leguminosae

Vermillion Wood/
Papua New Guinea Rosewood

This African wood offers a vivid blood red colour with moderately coarse texture. The colour makes this an attractive wood for high-class joinery. Making marimbas? This wood offers note-worthy straight-grain with good tone. The density is approx. 40-50 lbs/ft3.

Purpleheart

Peltogyne pubescens
family Leguminosae

Violetwood
Amaranth/
Pau Roxo

This species originates from Central America and tropical South America. It offers many qualities owing to its colour of deep purple-violet and durability. Time will turn this wood to a deep purplish brown. Because of its resistance to stress, it can be used alternatively for heavy outdoor and marine applications, decking and millwork.

Teak

Tectona grandis
family Verbenaceae

-

This is the king of the marine industry. Although plantations in Central and South American have successfully introduced this species , owing to the unique climate and soil conditions, the very best comes through legal trade with Southeast Asia. It is a uniform golden-brown that silvers beautifully when left untreated outdoors. Keep your tools sharp, and watch the fine dust, it can be an irritant. The approx. density is 38-43 lbs/ft3. it is unbeatable for boat decking and outdoor furniture. 

Complementary plywood and veneer available.

Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica
family Nyssaceae

Blackgum

This is a domestic wood that grows under water. Some liken this to carving “butter”. It is a consistent white yellow in colour with minimal grain. 

Walnut

Juglans nigra
family Juglandaceae

-

This is a domestic wood that offers traditional versatility. This rich dark brown, mostly straight grained, has an approx. density of 40 lbs/ft3. At times but without reason, wavy or curly grain does show. It is furniture standard. 

Complementary plywood and veneer available.

Wenge

Millettia laurentii
family Leguminosae

-

This is from Africa, mainly Zaire, and offers a clearly defined, closely textured, very dark brown wood. Owing to instability in Zaire, consistent stock cannot be guaranteed. It is suitable for high-class joinery including flooring.

Yellowheart

Rutaceae Euxylophora
family Paraensis

Pau Amarello

Is from South America; primarily Brazil. It is considered to be a medium dense wood with a very tight, linear grain and has a density of 54 lbs/ft3. The overall colour is a pale yellow to mustard, hence the common name. A great wood to use in intarsia and laminated boards for dramatic contrasting strips. It is not always the most stable and definitely likes to warp. Not a dramatically difficult wood to work with.

Zebrawood

Microberlinia brazzavillensis family Leguminosae

Zebrano

This is another African exotic that is aptly named after the zebra. It is primarily light golden-yellow with narrow streaks of dark brown – black. It can be difficult to work because of the alternating veins. We see this wood used for small cabinetwork and high-class joinery. The approx. density is 46 lbs/ft3.