Rubberwood (Pará Rubber Tree)
Hevea brasiliensis · Hardwood
- 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 & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot (typically sold as pre-laminated panels, butcher block tops, or flat-pack components).
- 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.
- Sustainability Status
- Highly Sustainable / Eco-friendly. It is a secondary crop harvested from rubber plantations after trees complete their natural latex production life cycle (approx. 25-30 years). Not CITES listed.
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.
