Spalted Tamarind
Tamarindus indica • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and wild pattern due to spalting; features dramatic black zone lines and variegated fungal patterns across a generally straight to wavy background grain.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a pale yellow to light brown, while the spalting adds high-contrast black, gray, and dark brown lines. Often shows golden or reddish hues with a natural low to medium luster.
Hardness Rating
2,690 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Spalted areas are Non-durable; solid heartwood is Durable but highly susceptible to insect attack and rot once fungal spalting has begun.
Common Uses
Turning blanks, knife handles, fine furniture accents, decorative bowls, veneer, and high-end artisanal small crafts.
Geographic Origin
Tropical Africa; widely cultivated in Southern Asia and Northern Australia.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $15.00 to $30.00 per board foot depending on the intensity and aesthetic flow of the spalting patterns.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut; spalting indicates the wood was harvested after initial fungal decay had begun but before structural integrity was lost.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but availability varies by region.
Workability
Difficult due to high density and interlocked grain; the spalted (decayed) areas are much softer than the surrounding wood, leading to uneven sanding and potential tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive black 'map-like' lines caused by competing fungi; incredibly dense and heavy; sawdust can be an irritant to the respiratory system.
Finish Recommendations
Stabilizing finishes like CA glue or high-penetration resin are often used for soft spots; finishes with clear oils or polyurethane to highlight the high-contrast spalting lines.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic black zone lines against the pale, dense background are a primary diagnostic feature of Tamarind when spalted.