exotic wood

Mark travels all around the world acquiring only the finest and most precious exotic wood there is to find.

We have smaller cut pieces of the following exotic wood for those who need a small amount for wood turning, wood carving, accents, special projects, etc.:  purple heart, morado, zebrawood, canary wood, bubinga, iroko, mahogany, African mahogany, Honduran mahogany, padauk, red grandis, bloodwood, kabukalli, itauba, jatoba, sipo, Spanish cedar, ipe.

 For a complete list of all exotic wood we carry plus a current price list, please go to Craigslist, Asheville, For Sale, Materials, Search for Exotic Wood, see our ad “The Largest Selection of Exotic Wood in WNC!”

Triangulos

They are Bolivian Rosewood with a surrounding of a beautiful white-to-beige sapwood to bring on such a classic contrast!  The ones shown here that look finished are just well-sanded.  You can imagine them really well finished!  Each is unique:  think an accent on a table or in the corner of a room.
 
We have a limited supply so come and check these out.
 
 They will vary between $60 and higher  
 
And, The Cosmic Doodler could possibly embellish the sap with a unique doodle if the client wants such a piece!

Cachichira Buttress Root

Truly One-of-a-Kind

Cachichira Buttress Root

This amazing piece of wood hails from the Amazon Basin rainforest in Bolivia. This round slab was salvaged from a diseased cachichira tree and is approximately 700 years old.

Roughly 8’ in diameter and unevenly 5” in thickness

Definitely Only at Scroungers for $22,000.00.

Cerejeira

Cerejeira

Amburana Cearenala

This is the wood of the present and the future. It is attractive and stable and well worth its value.

The heartwood is light brown or yellowish with a slight orange hue with a medium to coarse texture. Its luster is medium to high and it has a mild to distinct scent and taste of cumarin or vanilla. It has a rather waxy feel and appearance.

Cerejeira is easy to work with machine or hand tools. Great for turning.

Also known as Brazilian Oak, Blonde Mahogany, Amburana

Japanese Cedar

Japanese Cedar – Sugi – Beams

(cryptomeria japonica)

Sometimes called Japanese Cedar, the wood is in the Cupressaceae family, which includes many cedar-like species. Like most cedars, the wood is soft, light, aromatic, and resistant to decay. Sugi is a commercially important softwood species within Japan, and is commercially grown for many construction purposes.

According to legend, in the early 1600s there was a feudal lord in Japan who was too poor to donate a stone or bronze lantern at the funeral of the deceased shogun. Instead, he proposed to plant a row of trees along the avenue which led to the temple where the shogun was buried. These trees still line the path to the temple, and are considered some of the most stately and impressive displays of trees in all of Japan.

Note: there are informative videos about Sugi on our Facebook page. Check them out!

Call For Pricing

Honduran Rosewood

Dalbergia Stevensonii

 

Great for fingerboards of acoustic instruments, harp bodies, sculptures, furniture,

Cutlery handles, decorative veneers, etc.

 

Priced individually based on individual piece dimensions.  Please call.

​Aspidosperma

Holy Wood
 
Slabs and Lumber
 
Call for Pricing
 
Most pieces are approximately 2.5″ to 3″ thick
 
and average 33″ to 36″ wide
 
Discounts on Multiple Pieces

Acariquara or Carapanauba Bases

Limited supply of  beautiful and distinctive bases of either acariquara or carapanauba available.

Each unique.

They come in a variety of sizes, heights, and dimensions. The pricing is based on those factors.

Prices range from $300 to $900. Discounts on multiple bases!

African Padauk

African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii )

From Central and tropical west Africa

Its heartwood color can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown (some lighter pieces age to a grayish brown).

Grain is usually straight, but can sometimes be interlocked. With a coarse, open texture and good natural luster.

Padauk has excellent decay resistance, and is rated as durable to very durable. It is also reported to be resistant to termites and other insects.

Overall, Padauk is easy to work; tear-out may also occur during planing on quartersawn or interlocked grain. It turns, glues, and finishes well.

Common uses: Veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.

Padauk has a very unique reddish orange coloration, and the wood is sometimes referred to by the name Vermillion. Unfortunately, this dramatic color is inevitably darkened to a deep reddish brown color. UV-inhibiting finishes may prolong, but not prevent the gradual color-shift of this brightly colored wood.

Currently Unavailable

Utile (Sipo)

Utile (Entandrophragma utile) or Sipo

Grows in West and Central Africa

Its heartwood is a uniform medium reddish brown.

Its grain is interlocked, with a medium uniform texture. Moderate natural luster.

It is rated as moderately durable to durable, with mixed reports on insect resistance.

Utile can be troublesome to work in some machining operations, (i.e., planing, routing, etc.), resulting in tearout due to its interlocked grain. It will also react when put into direct contact with iron, becoming discolored and stained. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Utile has a mild, cedar-like scent while being worked.

Common UsesFurniture, cabinetry, veneer, boatbuilding, flooring, and turned objects.

Also known as Sipo Mahogany.

Spanish Cedar

Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata)

Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean; also grown on plantations

This heartwood is a relatively uniform light pinkish to reddish brown; colors tend to darken with age. Random pockets of gum and natural oils are commonly present. Grain patterning and figure tends to be somewhat bland.

Its grain is straight or shallowly interlocked. Medium texture and moderate natural luster.

Spanish Cedar ranges from durable to moderately durable regarding decay resistance, and is also resistant to termite attack; the wood is also reported to have excellent weathering characteristics.

Spanish Cedar is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. However, due to its low density and softness, Spanish Cedar tends to leave fuzzy surfaces if not machined with sharp cutters; extra sanding up to finer grits may be required to obtain a smooth wood surface. Also, natural gum pockets can remain wet and may ooze out onto the surrounding surface, which can clog and gum up saw blades, and make finishing the wood a challenge.

It has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent. This characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes.

Common uses include veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instruments, (flamenco and classical guitars), humidors, and boatbuilding.

Also known as Cedro.

Currently Unavailable

Wenge

Wenge (Millettia laurentii)

Grows in Central Africa

Wenge heartwood is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil finish) the wood can become nearly black.

Grain is straight, with a very coarse texture. Low natural luster.

It is very durable, and resistant to termite attack.

Wenge can be difficult to work with hand and machine tools. Blunts tool edges. Sands unevenly due to differences in density between light and dark areas. Very splintery—care must be used when handling unfinished wood with bare hands, as splinters have an increased risk of infection. Very large pores can be difficult to fill if a perfectly smooth/level finish is desired.

Uses: Veneer, paneling, furniture, turned objects, and musical instruments.

Usually pronounced WHEN-gii or WHEN-ghay, the wood has excellent strength and hardness properties, and is also dark enough to be used as a substitute for ebony.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis)

Grows in West Africa

This heartwood is a light brown or cream color with dark blackish brown streaks vaguely resembling a zebra’s stripes. Depending on whether the wood is flatsawn or quartersawn, the stripes can be either chaotic and wavy (flatsawn), or somewhat uniform (quartersawn).

It has a fairly coarse texture and open pores. Grain is usually wavy or interlocked.

This heartwood is rated as durable and is also resistant to insect damage.

The wood saws well, but can be very difficult to plane or surface due to the prevalence of interlocking grain. Tear-out is common. Zebrawood glues and finishes well, though a transparent pore filler may be necessary for the large open pores which occur on both dark and light surfaces.

Zebrawood is frequently quartersawn and used as veneer. Other uses include: tool handles, furniture, boatbuilding, and skis.

Sometimes called Zebrano, the wood is strong and stiff, with a fairly high density. However, the wood is much more frequently used for its bold and unique striping.

Purple Heart

Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.)

Found in Central and South America (from Mexico down to southern Brazil)

When freshly cut, the heartwood of Purpleheart is a dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure, the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. With further age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple. This color-shift can be slowed and minimized by using a UV inhibiting finish on the wood.

The grain is usually straight, but can also be wavy or irregular. Has a medium texture with good natural luster.

Purpleheart is rated as being very durable, and resists both decay and most insect attacks.

Common Uses: Inlays/accent pieces, flooring, furniture, boatbuilding, heavy construction, and a variety of specialty wood items.

It is sometimes called Amaranth. This colorful Latin American hardwood is tremendously popular for furniture and other designs that call for a unique splash of color. In addition to its coloration, Purpleheart has excellent strength properties and can be used in applications where strength is important—a wood for both form and function.

Bubinga

Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.)

Grown in Equatorial Africa

Its heartwood ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks.

Grain is straight to interlocked and has a uniform fine-to-medium texture and moderate natural luster.

Bubinga is reported to be resistant to termite and marine borer attack.

Common uses: Veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items. Since Bubinga trees can grow so large, natural-edge slabs of the wood have also been used in tabletops and other specialized projects.

Bubinga has a close resemblance to rosewood and is often use in place of more expensive woods.

Also known as Kevazingo

Currently Unavailable

Bolivian Rosewood - Morado

Bolivian Rosewood ( Machaerium spp.)

Found in: Tropical South America (mainly Brazil and Bolivia)

Its color can be highly varied, ranging from reddish/orange to a dark violet/brown, usually with contrasting darker black streaks.

Its grain is typically straight, though sometimes slightly irregular or interlocked depending on the species. Fine, even texture and a naturally high luster—though depending on the particular species, the wood can have a coarser, more fibrous texture.

It is rated as very durable, though quite susceptible to insect attack, and not recommended in direct ground contact.

Uses: Veneer, musical instruments, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, turning, and other small specialty wood objects.

Also known as Pau Ferro, Morado, Santos Rosewood

1) Morado Cant:  a wood cant is a partially sawed log with at least one flat side.
Under 8″ @ $10/board foot
8″ to 12″ @ $12/board foot
Over 12″ @ $15/board foot

2) Morado Slabs: These are individually priced based on thickness, width, length and look. (when available)

3)  Morado Dimensional Lumber is square-edged and well-milled.
Under 6″ @ $15/board foot
6″ or more @ $22/board foot
If planed:  Under 6″ @ $20/board foot
If planed:  6″ or more @ $25/board foot
 
NOTE:  Above prices are valid unless otherwise marked.

Bloodwood

Bloodwood (Brosimum rubescens)

Grown in Tropical South America

The heartwood is a bright, vivid red. Color can darken to a darker brownish red over time with exposure to light. Applying a thick protective finish, and keeping the wood out of direct sunlight can help slow this color shift.

Grain is usually straight or slightly interlocked and has a fine texture with good natural luster, and is also somewhat chatoyant.

Reported to be very durable, and resistant to most insect attacks.

Used in carvings, trim, inlays, furniture, guitars, knife handles, and turned objects.

Also known as Satine.

Currently Unavailable

Sapele

Sapele, Sapelli, Sapeli (pronounced sah-PELL-ey)

This wood is grown in tropical Africa.

It’s color is a golden- to dark-reddish brown.  Its grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy.  It has a fine, uniform texture and a good natural luster.  Sometimes it is referred to as ‘sapele mahogany’ as it is occasionally used as a substitute for genuine mahogany.

Common uses:  flooring, furniture, veneer, plywood, cabinetry, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items.

Normal pricing depending on width – approx. $6 to $9/bd ft
4/4
5/4
8/4
10/4

True African Mahogany

African Mahogany(Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis)

Grown in Tropical West Africa

African Mahogany’s heartwood color is variable, ranging from a very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Quartersawn surfaces can also exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearance.

Its grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster with a light-refracting optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy (having a changeable luster or color with an undulating narrow band of white light, like a tiger-eye gem).

If you view a map of the world, you can see where West Africa locked into Brazil millions of years ago. These species are very closely related to the ultimate “Swietenia Macrophylla” of Honduran Mahogany fame.

Normal pricing depending on width – approx. $6 to $9/bd ft
4/4-
5/4-
8/4-
10/4-
12/4-

Cumaru

Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)

Grown in Northern South America

The color of the heartwood tends to be a medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue; some pieces may have streaks of yellowish or greenish brown.

The grain is interlocked, with a medium texture and a waxy feel.

It is similar to Ipe (tabebuia) but a bit easier to work.

Also referred to as Brazilian Teak or Brazilian Chestnut.

Curupixa

Curupixa (micropholis)

Grown in the Amazon region in Brazil

The color is light brown.

The grain is straight with a fine texture.

A beautiful wood! Similar to American Cherry.

Cypress

Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Grown in the Southeastern United States

The color tends to be a light, yellowish brown. Some boards can have scattered pockets of darker wood that have been attacked by fungi, which is sometimes called pecky cypress.

Its grain is straight with a medium texture to coarse texture. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a greasy feel.

This wood is great for outdoor use.

A beautiful local wood.

Also known as Bald Cypress.

Currently Unavailable

Guatambu

Guatambu (Balfourodendron riedelianum)

Guatambu is comparable to Hard Maple for workability and has a generally straight grain, dense with fine, uniform texture that works beautifully and even carves like a charm. It is an excellent turning wood with very strong with excellent wear properties.

Also known as Brazilian Maple.

Uses: Boat building, canoes, cabinet making, furniture, flooring, molding, paneling, stair rails, and much, much more. You are only limited by your imagination!

We have panels that most have been utilizing s butcher blocks and as trimming around edges with the same panel pieces to give depth and size.

Our pricing is very affordable:

40 x 40 = $25.00
36 x 40 = $23.00
24 x 40 = $15.00
16.5 x 40 = $6.00; multiple purchases @ $5.00/panel
28 x 40 = $18.00
12 x 40 = $8.00

By the way, don’t forget our Guatambu sticks @ $2.00 each which are perfect for cutting boards or even staircases. Here’s a guy that used the sticks AND the panels to craft and build the most incredible staircase in his home in Black Mountain.