Hardwoods (Padauk - Zebra Wood)

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.

Spanish Cedar

Cedrela odorata
family Meliaceae

Cedrela/Cedro/
Brazilian Cedar

Historically, this wood came from Cuba.  It now primarily comes from Brazil.  Sadly it has been identified as an endangered species by the International Organization, CITES.  Traditionally it is used for the making of cigar humidors, however, the presence of gum presents some difficulty in staining and polishing. Not a true cedar.

Teak

Tectona grandis
family Verbenaceae

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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.

New Guinea Teak

Vitex Cofassus
family Verbenaceae

Vitex

Vitex is a major commercial species of the Solomon Islands. The wood it produces is a beautiful olive-grey with an attractive banded or striped pattern on quater sawn faces. It is held in high esteem throughout the Solomons where it has been used for many years, especially in regards to boat- building due to its durability, strength, excellent steam bending and working properties. Also suitable for high quality joinery, flooring, decking, window sills, staircase materials and carving.

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

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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

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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.