Exotic Wood

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Name/Origin of Exotic Wood	Additional Details
Maple Burl Acer macrophyllum U.S.	Big-Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) grows near the Pacific coast of the United States. The burl of a tree is a lumpy outgrowth that forms as a result of parasites or some other type of damage, forming unique grain patterns. It is these swirly patterns that make all burl woods popular among wood workers. All of Exotic Woods USA's Big-Leaf Maple Burl has been inventoried based on the unique figure of each piece. Big-Leaf Maple Burl can vary in color from cream to dark brown throughout. Please note that the turning squares may contain bark inclusions and voids, which are not considered defects, they are part of its natural beauty.


Olivewood Olea Europaea sub specie Africana Northern Africa	Olivewood is one of the choice woods used for makers of religious items. The wood is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. Olivewood's grain consists of dark brown streaking with its yellowish-tan heartwood. The wood is hard and dense with an average specific gravity of about 0.80, but still works and finishes very well when sharp tools are used. As with many exotic woods, it is recommended that the wood be seasoned before working it. Exotic Woods USA's Olivewood comes from North Africa and is a sub-species of the European variety.


Pink Ivory Zhamnus zeyheri South Africa	The rarity of Pink Ivory has made this wood highly sought after by woodworkers around the world. Pink Ivory is commonly used by wood carvers & turners for inlay or items such as bowls, pool cue butts, chess pieces, golf putters, knife handles, and wild game calls. It is not easy to find Pink Ivory blanks much wider than 6 inches because the trees, mostly found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, are relatively narrow when compared to such trees as the American Maple. Exotic Woods USA's stock comes primarily from South Africa. Pink Ivory is very hard and dense (sharp tools are needed to work with this wood), having an average specific gravity of about 0.90. The heartwood ranges in color from light pink to an almost bright red. Our Pink Ivory blanks are divided into three categories: Regular, Select, and Premium. Please note that the color Pink Ivory may change over time based on each particular piece, the finish used and the amount of sunlight it is exposed to, causing the brighter pink color to possibly fade to a muted browner shade.

Purpleheart Peltogyne paniculata Suriname	Purpleheart is greatly popular among turners and carvers for its deep purple heartwood. Exotic Woods USA's Purpleheart belongs to the species paniculata. Purpleheart wood, and as with all the many species of Purpleheart, is very hard and dense with an average specific gravity of about 0.86. As with many woods, allergic reactions to Purpleheart dust can include skin irritation and/or nausea. It is recommended to have adequate ventilation and skin, eye and breathing protection. Please note that the color Purpleheart may change over time base on each particular piece, the finish used and the amount of sunlight it is exposed to, causing the purple color to dull to a brownish one. Using a UV finish may slow this color-changing process.

Snake Wood Piratinera guianensis Suriname	Snakewood (Piratinera guianensis) is found primarily in the rain forests of Suriname, a small South American country just north of Brazil and is one of the world's rarest woods having an average specific gravity of 1.30. This wood has been considered as the densest wood in the world and also one of the most expensive. The coloring of Snakewood is quite unique and will add a beauty to any created wood product such as pens, knife handles, pool cues & inlay. Snakewood turns well, however, the only down side to Snakewood is that the wood must be treated with great care to prevent checks and cracks. The wood needs to be stored and worked in a 'controlled' humidity and temperature area. During the working of the wood, it is recommended to seal the wood with thin CA glue after each step of the way to help prevent checks and cracks from developing. When finishing your Snakewood project, it is also recommended to first wipe the wood with a solvent before applying a finish.

Tambootie pirostachys africana Tanzania	Tambootie (Spirostachys africana) is known for its its rich brown coloring and sweet aroma. It is a dense and durable wood (sharp tools are needed to work this wood), having an average specific gravity of about 0.80. Tambootie is used by carvers & turners, as well as makers of fine furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments. The heartwood is a lustrous, honey-ish brown with occasional shades of dark brown. The sapwood is a lighter, creamy color. Its grain is generally straight, and works/finishes well. The wood may produce an oily dust when worked and therefore it is recommended to use a ventilation system in the work area. As with many exotic woods, it is recommended to seal the end grains after each working.

Thuya Burl Tetraclinis articulata Morocco	Thuya Burl (Tetraclinis articulata) is indigenous to the hot and dry regions of the Mediterranean. It is becoming one of the more rarely exotic woods found on the market, because the Moroccan government has banned further exporting of Thuya Burl. The highly sought for Thuya Burls grow on the roots of trees under the surface of the ground. Thuya Burl consists of clusters of small black dots or "eyes", that often accentuate this handsome wood. Favored by workers & turners for centuries, dating back to the Bible, it was and is used for many religious items. While working with Thuya Burl, one will notice an emitted aroma produced by its natural resin and oil. The wood has an average specific gravity is about 0.67.

Zebrawood Microberlinia brazzavillensis Cameroon	Exotic Wood USA's Zebrawood is the variety of Microberlinia brazzavillensis from West Africa (which is true Zebrawood). This wood is a hard and durable wood that is used by wood turners & carvers, furniture & cabinet makers, having an average specific gravity of about 0.74. The heartwood is a striped pattern of pale yellowish and dark brown. To maintain Zebrawood's sporadic color pattern it is almost always quartersawn. The wood turns and finishes well, however, the interlocking grain can make it difficult to work.
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