Alternative woods

The new CITES regulations, which were adopted into law by the EU on January 2, 2017 , gave a significant boost to interest in exchange woods. The new resolutions placed numerous rosewood species and bubinga on Appendix II and B respectively.

In the following, some non-CITES-listed wood species are presented which, in terms of their properties and availability, offer good prerequisites for acceptance in one or other area of application. The description is based on internal company analyses and customer experience.

All information is without claim to completeness and without guarantee.

Chakte Kok – Red Heart (Sickingia spp.)

unusually striking wood of coral red color. In the Mayan language, Chakte Kok means “the comb of the rooster” – corresponding to its color. The durability of seasoned wood is good, the workability unproblematic; however, UV-protective coatings are required to maintain the strong color tone. Use: Backs & sides of classic. Guitars, electric guitar strings, furniture, woodturning articles.

Cumaru (Dipteryx spp.)

plain, brown wood with a strikingly intertwined grain. Good substitute for bongossi and bangkirai in exterior applications. High dimensional stability and excellent fungal resistance.

Granadillo (Platymiscium yucatanum)

also called marimba wood in Central America because of its special sound characteristics, not to be confused with East African grenadilla, a Dalbergia species. The rosewood-like wood can be used for acoustic guitars (body, fingerboards), as well as for wind instruments. However, the quantities available are limited.

Jatobá (Hymenea courbaril)

Attractive, reddish-brown wood with a striped play of colors. High dimensional stability and fungal resistance.

Katalox, violetwood (Swartzia cubensis)

As dense and heavy as ebony, Katalox undoubtedly has its place as a replacement wood for fingerboards, bridges and other components of stringed instruments. Initially purple in color, it matures in the light to a quasi-black hardwood of outstanding durability.

Machiche, carib. Cherry (Lonchocarpus spp.)

hard, reddish-brown wood in the basic color of “matured” mahogany. In North America, Machiche (pronounced Matschitsche) is also known as Mexican cherry for the sake of pronunciation. The sound of the acoustic guitar is harder than that of an instrument with a mahogany body. Machinability and stamina are impeccable. Machiche is an interesting substitute wood for real mahogany. Also suitable for furniture construction and parking furniture.

Morado / Pao Ferro / Santos Rosewood (Machaerium spp.)

Decorative wood that is prized in many parts of South America. Also known in Europe as furniture and veneer wood (“Santos rosewood”). Today, known applications are limited to instrument making, turnery and boat building.

Satiné / Bloodwood (Brosimum brasiliensis)

deep red, evenly structured, homogeneous wood without streaks. Simple and lightfast. High dimensional stability and excellent fungal resistance. Limited use due to the small quantities available. Instrument making (bows!).

Padouk (Pterocarpus spp.)

Although padouk is not a dominant tree species in its natural range, the quantities that can be supplied are extensive and constantly available. Good qualities are available from two origins: from the Pacific and from East Africa. While Solomon Padouk (Narra) has a rather honey-yellow basic color, offset with occasional red stripes, the East African Padouk (Muninga) is rather walnut-colored and denser. Both species are used for musical instruments and higher-quality furniture, especially when the growth is stunted.

Peroba Rosa (Aspidosperma spp.)

The rosé to pear-colored wood is visually and technically very appealing. It is widely used for furniture, instruments (electric guitars, flutes and clarinets) and parquet flooring. Availability is good; pieces with wild-shaped alternating heartwood-sapwood are particularly decorative.

Wamara / Coracon negro (Swartzia spp.)

A typical “ironwood” in terms of density, color and workability. Processing is not easy, but the wood can be used for special applications.

Vitex / Leban (Vitex cofassus)

beige-brown, homogeneous wood with high stability. Altogether simple. Outstanding in exterior construction. However, there is a risk of yellow ingredients leaching out immediately after installation. Special reference is made to this in the technical data sheets.
Application: Gardening and landscaping, bridge decking, pergolas.

Author: J. Jordan, Dipl.-Holzwirt, M.sc.forest.trop.