Monkey Pod (also known as Rain Tree or Suar)
Albizia saman (syn. Samanea saman) • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture; visible ribbon-like streaks and some wavy figure on the lateral elements
Color Description
Golden to dark brown heartwood with distinct black streaks; the sample shows a warm honey-amber hue likely due to a topical finish; sapwood is typically thin and yellow-white but not visible on this finished piece
Hardness Rating
600 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; excellent resistance to termites and common wood rot
Common Uses
Carvings, souvenir items, bowls, large live-edge tabletops, furniture, and cabinetry
Geographic Origin
Native to Central and South America; widely naturalized throughout Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $10.00 - $20.00 per board foot depending on figure and thickness
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 10-30 years based on the oxidation of the finish and the style of the hand-carved tourist-ware aesthetic
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered a highly sustainable and invasive species in many regions
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause fuzzy surfaces or tearout during planing; glues and finishes well
Notable Features
Distinctive large pores and a characteristic cross-grain chatoyance; the wood is lightweight relative to its strength and has a very faint, sweet odor when worked
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes or lacquer highlight the natural golden-brown tones; wax is frequently used for decorative carvings to maintain a soft luster
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large open pores, golden-brown color with dark streaks, and the specific application in a tropical hand-carved decorative item is diagnostic of Albizia saman