Rubberwood (Pará Rubber Tree) — Hevea brasiliensis

Rubberwood (Pará Rubber Tree)

Hevea brasiliensis · Hardwood

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Type
Hardwood
Origin
Native to the Amazon basin (Brazil), but commercially plantation-grown throughout tropical regions of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia).
Hardness
965 lbf (Medium)
Durability
Slightly Durable / Non-durable. Susceptible to decay, insect attack (powder post beetles), and fungal staining if exposed to moisture; suitable only for indoor applications.

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Grain Pattern

Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture. Prominent dark vessel lines/pore streaks are visible throughout the edge-glued butcher block construction.

Color & Appearance

Light blond to pale straw yellow or creamy white, with subtle light tan undertones. Little contrast between heartwood and sapwood. Tends to darken slightly to a warm golden tone over time.

Hardness (Janka)

965 lbf (Medium)

Durability & Decay Resistance

Slightly Durable / Non-durable. Susceptible to decay, insect attack (powder post beetles), and fungal staining if exposed to moisture; suitable only for indoor applications.

Value & Age

Estimated Market ValueNot an official valuation

$3.00 to $6.00 per board foot (typically sold as pre-laminated panels, butcher block tops, or flat-pack components).

AI estimate for general guidance only — not a professional appraisal. Actual value depends on grade, dimensions, condition, and local market demand.

Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing, likely harvested from 25 to 30-year-old latex-producing trees and manufactured within the past 1 to 5 years.

Common Uses

Budget-friendly furniture, butcher block countertops, cutting boards, cabinetry, kitchen carts, and ready-to-assemble (RTA) home goods.

Geographic Origin

Native to the Amazon basin (Brazil), but commercially plantation-grown throughout tropical regions of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia).

Workability

Easy to machine, plane, sand, and join. Glues exceptionally well (as shown in this finger-jointed/edge-glued butcher block format). Can show slight fuzziness when sanded, requiring fine grits.

Finish Recommendations

Accepts stains, clear polyurethanes, lacquer, and penetrating oil finishes well. A pore sealer or sanding sealer can produce an ultra-smooth surface given the open grain structure.

Notable Features

Extremely common in edge-glued/stave construction due to small log dimensions. Contains residual natural latex/rubbers, low heartwood-to-sapwood contrast, and coarse open pores with characteristic dark streaks.

Learn more about Rubberwood (Pará Rubber Tree) in the Wood Encyclopedia
Identified July 25, 2026