A decorative wood for high-class furniture and cabinetwork. Indian rosewood is a heavy timber with high-strength properties and is particularly hard for its weight after being thoroughly seasoned.
The trees are native to Southern Asia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Java. Damp growing conditions are said to be ideal for the tree, but it has a wide-growing area. East Indian rosewood trees can be large, but tree size varies by location and growing conditions. At its tallest, the tree is 100 feet. Diameters vary widely reaching, up to 5 feet, although smaller diameters are possible.
East Indian rosewood and related species of Dalbergia have long been prized for yielding fine solid wood and veneer for use in furniture, cabinetry and high-end architectural woodwork. The wood earns high marks for beauty with a heartwood that is medium-to-dark brown and sometimes purple with bold dark brown to dark purple streaks. The dark streaks show the termination of growth marks. Selected logs yield an attractive ribbon-stripe grain. The wood has a uniform texture. Rosewood is so named for the fragrance of roses the cut wood produces when first cut. It has no taste or odor when the material is seasoned.
FAMILY NAME
Dalbergia latifolia of the Family Leguminosae. Related species are Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia javanica.
COMMON NAMES
Indian rosewood, East Indian rosewood, Bombay rosewood, Bombay blackwood, malobar, shisham, sissoo, biti, ervaid, kalaruk.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
Best growing areas yield trees of 100 feet or more with diameters up to 5 feet at the largest, but averaging 2.5 feet. Average weight is 53 pounds per cubic foot with a specific gravity of 0.85.
PROPERTIES
It dries well but experts recommend slow drying to avoid end splitting or surface checking. USDA Forest Products Lab recommends a kiln schedule of T6-D2 for 4/4 stock and T3-D1 for 8/4 stock. Wood can be difficult to work because of its high density. Some material has calcareous or gum deposits that can affect cutting surfaces. Material has high bending and crushing strengths with low stiffness and medium resistance to shock loads. The wood glues and finishes well although material with deposits can stain.
Uses and Characteristics
In countries where it grows, uses for the wood include plywood, skis, boats, and flooring, shop, office and bank fittings, and exterior joinery.
It is good for turnery. Rosewood specialty items include turned knobs, drawer pulls and handles. It has long been a favorite for making carpenters?tools and cutlery; decorative boxes are also made from rosewood. It is also popular for many types of furniture, such as Scandinavian-style furniture. Figured veneers are used to make high-end paneling, paneled doors and cabinetry.
Above: A majestic Indian elephant brilliantly decorated during festival time. Elephants are just one of the many inspirations for Indian craftspersons. Below: A remarkable, hand carved rosewood elephant. Standing 5ft tall.
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