Acacia
Acacia sensu lato (Likely Acacia mangium or Acacia auriculiformis) • Hardwood / Exotic
Grain Pattern
Predominantly interlocked grain resulting in a ribbon-like figure, with occasional wavy and irregular patterns including small knots and swirling grain visible in the sample.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to golden brown with prominent reddish-brown streaks. Sapwood is typically distinct yellow-white. It exhibits a natural medium luster and will darken significantly to a deeper mahogany hue with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,100 to 1,750 lbf (Medium to Hard classification, depending on specific species)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot, decay, and fungal attacks; moderately resistant to insect attacks.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, heavy construction, boat building, bowls/kitchenware, and outdoor decking.
Geographic Origin
Native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea; widely grown on plantations throughout Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 to $8.00 per board foot (standard grade), though often sold as pre-finished consumer goods due to plantation availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Sample appears to be from young-growth/plantation timber, likely manufactured into a finished product within the last 5-10 years based on the tight grain and modern satin finish.
Sustainability Status
Generally excellent. Many species are IUCN Red List 'Least Concern' and widely available with FSC certification due to fast growth on plantations.
Workability
Fairly easy to work with but interlocked grain can cause significant tear-out during planing and jointing. GLues and finishes well, though high density can occasionally dull cutting edges.
Notable Features
Often features distinct chatoyancy (shimmer); some species have a faint sweet scent when worked; high natural oil content provides moisture resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane are recommended to highlight the rich color variations and chatoyancy. Sanding to a high grit (220+) is necessary to manage grain tear-out before finishing.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the warm golden-brown base, reddish streaks, distinct interlocked grain, and pore structure is consistent with commercially available Acacia furniture.