Tulipwood

Botanical Name: Dalbergia variabilis
Common Names:Tulipwood, Brazilian tulipwood, Pau rosa, Bois de rose, Pinkwood, Pau de fuso, Jacaranda rosa
Grows In: Brazil






Environmental Profile
The environmental status of this species within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed.

Distribution
The species is reported to be native to tropical South America, especially northeastern Brazil.

Products Sources
Round logs of Tulipwood heartwood are reported to be exported from Brazil into the United States. The logs are usually under 6 feet (2 m) long, with a diameter of 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) and are reported to be sold by the pound at very high prices. Tulipwood veneers are reported to be more available from suppliers than lumber.

Tree Data
The tree is reported to be rather small, often with an irregular trunk.

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is described as solid yellow in color.

Heartwood Color
Tulipwood heartwood has irregular streaks of shades of yellow rose, pink and violet on a straw-colored background. The color is reported to fade with age.

Grain
Grain is reported to be straight to roey.

Texture
The texture is described as rather fine.

Luster
The wood is reported to be highly lustrous.

Odor
Tulipwood is reported to have a mildly fragrant scent when worked, but the odor disappears after machining.

Ease of Drying
The timber is reported to season without difficulty.

Drying Defects
Risk of checking and twisting is reported to be minimal.

Movement in Service
Tulipwood is reported to have good dimensional stability after seasoning, and tends to hold its place well in use.

Natural Durability
The timber is reported to resist attack by insects and fungi, but its durability is given as low.

Resistance to Impregnation
Response to preservative treatment is reported to be very poor.

Blunting Effect
The wood is very hard and is reported to dull cutting edges rather severely.

Planing
The timber is reported to be very hard, strong, heavy and splintery and is rather difficult to work in most operations. A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended in planing quartersawn surfaces of material containing irregular grain. Planed surfaces are reported to be clean.

Gluing
The wood is reported to glue well.

Nailing
Tulipwood is hard and heavy, and requires pre-boring.

Polishing
The wood is reported to have excellent polishing qualities.

Waste Factor
The timber is reported to have fairly high waste factor in conversion.

Strength Properties
The wood is very heavy.

Comments
Tulipwood is described as heavy, hard, compact, fissile, and splintery. It is usually marketed in the form of small logs or billets, and is primarily used for decorative purposes. Tulipwood is reported to be a familiar wood to cabinetmakers and was a popular timber for the manufacture of French furniture.