Rubberwood
Hevea brasiliensis · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin in South America, but predominantly plantation-grown across Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
- Hardness
- 955 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to fungal decay, rot, and insect attacks if left untreated.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to shallowly interlocked grain with a medium, coarse texture. The image shows finger-jointed blocks, typical of engineered solid wood panels made from shorter strips.
Color & Appearance
Light blonde to medium tan with a pale cream sapwood and heartwood that blend together with little differentiation. It has a medium natural luster and tends to darken slightly to a golden yellow-brown upon exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
955 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to fungal decay, rot, and insect attacks if left untreated.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 5.00 USD per board foot (typically sold as finished edge-glued or finger-jointed panels rather than raw lumber).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Newly milled/manufactured timber (less than 1 year old), evidenced by the clean, freshly planed surfaces and lack of significant oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Highly sustainable and eco-friendly. Sourced from plantation rubber trees that are harvested for timber after their latex-producing lifecycle ends (typically 25-30 years). Not CITES listed and not on the IUCN Red List.
Common Uses
Interior furniture, cutting boards, tabletops, cabinetry, flooring, and toy manufacturing.
Geographic Origin
Native to the Amazon basin in South America, but predominantly plantation-grown across Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Glues, turns, and finishes well, though care must be taken during planing to avoid tearout on interlocked grain sections.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, lacquers, varnishes, and oils very well. A sanding sealer is often recommended prior to staining to ensure an even finish due to minor absorbency variations between blocks.
Notable Features
Contains residual natural latex and sugars, which makes untreated lumber vulnerable to mold and insect attack unless properly kiln-dried and treated. It is dimensionally stable once manufactured into edge-glued panels.