Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked with a coarse/open texture and prominent vessel lines; shows small occasional knots and a relatively uniform flat-sawn appearance.
Color Description
Light blonde to pale cream color with occasional yellowish or brownish streaks. Sapwood is not clearly demarcated from heartwood. It tends to darken slightly to a more golden brown with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
935 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; very susceptible to decay and insect attack if not treated with preservatives; not suitable for outdoor use.
Common Uses
Furniture (especially flat-pack), kitchen accessories, cutting boards, cabinetry, interior millwork, and small turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Native to the Amazon Rainforest (Brazil), but commercially grown on large-scale plantations throughout Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $5.00 per board foot (typically sold as S4S dimensional lumber or butcher block).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/Recently Harvested; the lack of oxidation, fresh tool marks, and sharp edges suggest it is kiln-dried lumber from the last 1-2 years.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; considered an eco-friendly 'by-product' of the latex industry, harvested only after the tree ceases to produce rubber (approx. 25-30 years).
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can have a tendency to clog sandpaper due to residual latex content. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Contains residual natural latex; can cause reactions in individuals with severe latex allergies. It has a very low shrinkage rate once seasoned, making it dimensionally stable.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to clear film-building finishes like polyurethane or lacquer. Due to its light color, it is frequently stained to mimic more expensive hardwoods like Oak or Walnut.
Identification Confidence
High; the color, coarse vessel structure, and setting (workshop tabletop) are quintessential for plantation-grown Rubberwood frequently used in utility projects.