Spalted Tamarind
Tamarindus indica • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked or wavy grain featuring distinct spalted figure; characterized by black zone lines caused by fungal decay creating map-like patterns against a pale background.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a bold pale yellow to creamy white with dark brown or black streaks; spalting adds high-contrast black lines. It may darken slightly to a more golden hue with age.
Hardness Rating
2,690 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; the spalting process itself is a form of decay, making the wood susceptible to rot and insects if not stabilized or kept dry.
Common Uses
Turning (bowls/pens), knife handles, veneer, inlay work, small decorative boxes, and musical instrument accents.
Geographic Origin
Native to tropical Africa; widely cultivated and naturalized in Southern Asia, specifically India, and tropical regions worldwide.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $30.00 per board foot, depending on the intensity and aesthetic quality of the spalting patterns.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears recently processed into turning blanks, showing fresh rough-sawn edges; the tree age is unknown, but the spalting indicates it was harvested from a log undergoing decomposition.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but availability of highly figured/spalted logs is variable.
Workability
Difficult due to high density and interlocked grain. Spalting can create soft 'punky' spots that tend to tear out; often requires stabilization with resins or CA glue before machining.
Notable Features
Features distinct black lines (zone lines) created by fungi; the wood is very heavy and dense. It has no characteristic odor when worked but fine dust can be a respiratory irritant.
Finish Recommendations
Best with stabilizing finishes such as CA glue (super glue), penetrating oils, or high-gloss lacquers to highlight the contrast and strengthen punky areas.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of very dense tropical grain and the specific 'map-like' black zone lines is characteristic of Spalted Tamarind blanks.