Rubberwood (Siam Oak)
Hevea brasiliensis • Hardwood / Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked with a coarse, open-pored texture; features distinct longitudinal streaks caused by large pores.
Color Description
Pale cream to straw-colored yellowish brown; sapwood and heartwood are not clearly demarcated. It turns slightly darker/pinkish with age and tends to stain or decay easily if not treated.
Hardness Rating
935 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to fungal decay and highly prone to insect/beetle attack, as evidenced by the visible pinholes in the sample.
Common Uses
Low-cost furniture, kitchen accessories (cutting boards), cabinetry, toys, and interior millwork; often marketed as 'Eco-friendly' wood.
Geographic Origin
Native to Brazil (Amazon basin) but widely grown in plantations in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $5.50 per board foot (relatively inexpensive compared to domestic hardwoods).
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively young lumber, likely processed within the last 5-10 years based on the light oxidation and modern industrial appearance.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; primarily harvested from rubber plantations after the trees finish their latex-producing cycle (approx. 25-30 years).
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has a high starch content that can attract pests. Glues and finishes well, but can sometimes have 'fuzzy' surfaces if tools are not sharp.
Notable Features
Often referred to as 'Siam Oak' despite having no relation to true Oak; contains latex in its living state which can occasionally cause allergic reactions; very prone to blue-stain fungus.
Finish Recommendations
Requires a sealer to prevent staining; accepts most clear coats (polyurethane or lacquer) well; often stained to mimic more expensive woods like Cherry or Walnut.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large, brownish longitudinal pores, pale straw color, and characteristic pinhole borer damage is diagnostic for Hevea brasiliensis.