Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a coarse, open-pored texture; features large vessel elements visible as dark streaks.
Color Description
Light blonde to medium tan heartwood, often yellowish or slightly pinkish. Lacks distinct sapwood. Over time, it darkens to a medium golden brown under UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
960 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to decay and insect attack if not chemically treated; low resistance to moisture.
Common Uses
Low-cost mass-market furniture (tables, chairs), kitchen accessories, cutting boards, cabinetry, and children's toys.
Geographic Origin
Native to Brazil and the Amazon basin; widely grown in plantations across Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $5.50 per board foot (primarily sold as dimensioned lumber or finished furniture components).
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be from a 10-30 year old piece of furniture; visible surface scratches and light oxidation suggest a few decades of domestic use.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; harvested from plantation trees at the end of their latex-producing life (25–30 years) that would otherwise be burned.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; glues and finishes well, though the presence of residual latex can occasionally gum up sandpaper.
Notable Features
Low shrinkage when drying; very little waste; contains natural latex which may cause reactions in hypersensitive individuals; commonly used as 'Eco-friendly' lumber.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethanes work best; it takes stains well but can sometimes blotch, requiring a pre-stain wood conditioner.
Identification Confidence
High; the large, open vascular pores, yellowish-tan hue, and typical finger-jointed or butcher-block construction visible in such industrial samples are diagnostic for Rubberwood.