Rosewood | The Wood Database

There’s just something within human nature that loves to see things ordered and ranked: we want a champion

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1 In practical terms, a helpful question to ask would be: hard is hard enough?

With this intrinsic urge in mind, I’ve compiled a top ten list of the heaviest woods in the world

Keep in mind that wood density can vary by an average of plus or minus 10% between samples (called the coefficient of variation), so it’s entirely possible that a sample of the tenth-ranked wood on this list could easily weigh more than a sample of the first ranked wood on this list

Some of these species weigh, on average, only a few tenths of a pound more per cubic foot than their nearest rivals: certainly no conclusive ranking should be inferred from the list

But nonetheless, we want someone to take home the gold medal—we need a champion crowned—so here are the top ten heaviest woods in the world:

(Dalbergia cearensis)

Kingwood supposedly got its name from several French kings (Louis XIV and Louis XV) that preferred the wood in the use of fine furniture

Desert Ironwood

This wood is a hobbyist favorite

Too small to be a viable timber tree, this wood’s colorful grain and high density are restricted to small specialty projects

(Brosimum guianense)

Another exceptionally hard African wood, the name says it all

Leadwood is seldom seen for sale, and is reported to be protected in South Africa–a very elusive timber

Widely accepted as the heaviest wood in the world–this wood has been listed as an endangered species and is listed in CITES

This small South American tree could be considered a super-mesquite

Related to mesquite, it’s very dark, very dense, and very hard; a good substitute for ebony

Honorable mentions: Camelthorn (740 lbs/ft3), Zapote (730 lbs/ft3), Brown Ebony (723 lbs/ft3), Macassar Ebony (718 lbs/ft3), Katalox (716 lbs/ft3), Ipe (687 lbs/ft3)

Water weighs 623 pounds per cubic foot at room temperature (70 degrees F), so all the woods listed above will readily sink in water

Density listings are for woods at a dried weight of 12% moisture content

There are probably all sorts of obscure shrubs and small trees that yield wood which can be quite heavy, but they’re just not seen in use by the majority of woodworkers, nor are they reliably documented in woodworking publications

Top Ten Hardest Woods

Types of Wood

Comparing American Hardwoods, Softwoods and Tropical Hardwoods

Wood products are known for their natural beauty, but when selecting a type of wood for your next cabinetry, flooring, furniture or millwork project, it is important to also consider the level of durability by understanding the difference between wood types

Each type and species of wood has an individual cellular structure that creates unique physical properties that determine suitability for different uses

For example, the hardness of woods varies widely, so certain hardwood species are not recommended for flooring because they are not hard enough to withstand heavy wear and tear

The following offers a brief comparison of American hardwoods, softwoods and often misused tropical hardwoods and their appropriate applications:

Hardwoods are deciduous trees that have broad leaves, produce a fruit or nut and generally go dormant in the winter

North America’s forests grow hundreds of varieties that thrive in temperate climates, including oak, ash, cherry, maple and poplar species

Each species can be crafted into durable, long-lasting furniture, cabinetry, flooring and millwork, and each offers unique markings with variation in grain pattern, texture and color

Softwoods or conifers, from the Latin word meaning “cone-bearing,” have needles rather than leaves

Widely available US softwood trees include cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, redwood and spruce

In a home, softwoods primarily are used as structural lumber such as 2x4s and 2x6s, with limited decorative applications

Tropical Hardwoods, including mahogany, rosewood, teak and wenge – are not native to North America

They grow in the tropical forests of the world and must be imported for domestic use

While some tropical hardwoods can be used for interior applications, including flooring, the color, grain pattern, hardness and luster of many imported woods differ from those of American hardwoods

For more information on non-native species, refer to the “Don’t be fooled” article

Janka Rating System

When in doubt about the type of wood to select for your cabinetry, flooring, furniture or millwork project, refer to the Janka Rating System, which measures the relative hardness of woods

The hardest commercially available hardwood is hickory, and it is five times harder than aspen, one of the “soft” hardwoods

And while this example lists just some of the most popular hardwood species, there are hundreds of varieties, representing the North American hardwood population

Because hardness is an important factor, and hardness varies for each species, the Janka Scale of Hardness is an excellent tool to help identify appropriate choices

Species

(in pounds)

Hard Maple

White Oak

Red Oak

Yellow Birch

Green Ash

Black Walnut

Soft Maple

Yellow Poplar

The most common test for testing wood hardness is known as the Janka hardness test

The actual number listed in the wood profile is the amount of pounds-force (lbf) or newtons (N) required to imbed a 444″ (1128 mm) diameter steel ball into the wood to half the ball’s diameter

Janka hardness testing

In practical terms, a helpful question to ask would be: hard is hard enough?

A lot of times, especially on floors, the finish will get scratched, when the wood underneath is perfectly fine

(This obviously excludes dents) In all practicality, a great number of hardwoods are “hard enough” for nearly all residential applications

But, if you’ve simply got to have the hardest lumber around, then this list is for you!

Also known as Curupay or by the exaggerated name Patagonian Rosewood, Cebil is not a true rosewood

It has a highly variable streaked appearance not too unlike Goncalo Alves

Katalox / Wamara

(Swartzia spp )

Some pieces can be just about a dark as true ebony, while others are a more reddish brown with black streaks

So much depth in the Swartzia genus, there’s something for everyone!

Black Ironwood

Pieces are very seldom seen for sale, as this tree is too small to produce commercially viable lumber

Like the unrelated Desert Ironwood, Black Ironwood is an excellent choice for small turning projects

African Blackwood

(Dalbergia melanoxylon)

In some parts of the world, this wood has achieved an almost legendary status

Historical evidence points to this wood (rather than Diospyros spp) being the original “ebony”

Camelthorn

Formerly classified as a member of the Acacia genus, this south African hardwood is a tough customer

The wood is stubbornly hard, and the tree is protected by giant sharp thorns

Sometimes called Argentine Lignum Vitae, this wood is a gem: inexpensive, great olive-green color, beautiful feathery grain pattern, and it takes a great natural polish on the lathe

(Brosimum guianensis)

It’s easy to see what makes Snakewood so unique–its patterns and markings resemble the skin of a snake

Limited supply and high demand make this one of the most expensive woods on earth!

Some pieces are dark enough to be used as an ebony substitute: one that’s even harder than the original article

Lignum Vitae

Widely accepted as the hardest wood in the world–this wood has been listed as an endangered species and is listed in CITES

Consider Verawood as a very close substitute

(Schinopsis spp )

From the Spanish “quebrar hacha,” which literally means “axe breaker” Aptly named, wood in the Schinopsis genus is among the heaviest and hardest in the world

Honorable mentions: Leadwood (3,570 lbf), Brown Ebony (3,590 lbf), Ipe (3,510 lbf), Mopane (3,390 lbf), Burmese Blackwood (3,350 lbf), Kingwood (3,340 lbf)

Hardness listings are for woods at a dried weight of 12% moisture content

There are a handful of obscure shrubs and small trees that yield wood which can be extremely hard

However, these species are typically only available regionally, and are never seen by the vast majority of woodworkers, nor are they reliably documented in woodworking publications

The Ten Best Woods You’ve Never Heard Of

Top Ten Heaviest Woods

Are you an aspiring wood nerd?

The poster, Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness, should be required reading for anyone enrolled in the school of wood nerdery

I have amassed over 500 wood species on a single poster, arranged into eight major geographic regions, with each wood sorted and ranked according to its Janka hardness

Each wood has been meticulously documented and photographed, listed with its Janka hardness value (in lbf) and geographic and global hardness rankings

Consider this: the venerable Red Oak (Quercus rubra) sits at only #33 in North America and #278 worldwide for hardness!

Aspiring wood nerds be advised: your syllabus may be calling for Worldwide Woods as part of your next assignment!

> Hardwoods > Meliaceae > Khaya > spp

African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis)

Common Name(s): African mahogany, khaya, acajou d’AfriqueScientific Name: Khaya spp, (primarily A

anthotheca and A

ivorensis; see notes below)Distribution: Tropical AfricaTree Size: 100-200 ft (30-60 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-18 m) trunk diameterAverage Dried Weight: 339 lbs/ft3 (545 kg/m3)Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): 046, 054Janka Hardness: 850 lbf (3,800 N)Modulus of Rupture: 11,730 lbf/in2 (809 MPa)Elastic Modulus: 1,410,000 lbf/in2 (972 GPa)Crushing Strength: 6,570 lbf/in2 (453 MPa)Shrinkage: Radial: 34%, Tangential: 57%, Volumetric: 93%, T/R Ratio: 17

Color/Appearance: Heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown

Colors darken with age

Quartersawn surfaces exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearanceGrain/Texture: Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture

Good natural luster and a high degree of chatoyancyRot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistanceWorkability: Generally easy to work, though tearout can be a problem if the grain is interlocked

Glues, turns, and finishes wellOdor: No characteristic odorAllergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer

Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation

See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more informationPricing/Availability: Available in a variety of lumber sizes, as well as plywood and veneer

Prices are moderate for an imported hardwoodSustainability: African mahogany is listed in CITES Appendix II under the genus-wide restriction of all Khaya species from Africa

Additionally, all the primary Khaya species of African mahogany are on the IUCN Red List

They are each listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitationCommon Uses: Veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trimComments: There are currently five accepted Khaya species, four of which are harvested and sold as African mahogany

The fifth species, K

madagascariensis, is native to Comoros and northern Madagascar and yields mahogany-like wood, but isn’t commonly exportedOf the four commercial species, there is considerable variation in density and heartwood color

The two lightest species, K

ivorensis and K

anthotheca, are represented here on this page

The heaviest species, K

senegalensis, is sometimes called dry zone mahogany and has markedly higher density and has been given its own entry

grandifoliola occupies a middle-ground in terms of density, sometimes being mixed and sold with the former two lighter species, and sometimes grouped with the heavier K

senegalensisAccording to Plant Resources of Tropical Africa,[1]Louppe, D, Oteng-Amoako, A

the average specific gravity of each of the commercial species at 12% moisture are as follows:K

senegalensis—076Botanically, Khaya is a part of the Meliaceae family, which not only includes mahoganies, but also sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum), Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), and a host of other commercial species

Considered to be a valid substitute for Honduran mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), otherwise known as ‘genuine mahogany’—though the African species sometimes lack the deeper reddish brown color and durability that’s common for true mahogany in the Swietenia genus

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood

The first sample shows a typical flatsawn piece, while the second sample shows quartersawn grainA special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the turned photo of this wood species

Watch video of wood finish being applied

African mahogany (turned)

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features

African mahogany (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porousArrangement: solitary and radial multiplesVessels: large to very large, very few; dark brown to nearly black deposits occasionally presentParenchyma: vasicentric, and occasionally banded (marginal)—though marginal parenchyma isn’t typical for Khaya speciesRays: medium to wide; normal to fairly close spacingLookalikes/Substitutes: Very commonly confused with the New World mahoganies in the Swietenia genus

However, Khaya species will very frequently lack maringal parenchyma bands

For more information, see the article Mahogany MixupsNotes: Although there is a subtle gradation in density between the various Khaya species, they can’t be reliably separated on the basis of anatomy

> Hardwoods > Meliaceae > Khaya > Related Species

Mahogany, dry zone(Khaya senegalensis)

Mahogany, African(Khaya spp )