INDONESIAN SONOKELING PLANTATION ROSEWOOD: A
This is the only true Rosewood available in commercial quantities. Being plantation grown, although not Certified we know that replanting is taking place. Compared to forest grown timber, plantation grown stock does not have the wild dense grain. We do however feel the straighter uniform grain with a deep purple brown colour produces a timber which can be used to stunning effect.

Production: S/E, DIM.

Dalbergia latifolia
Family: Leguminosae

Distribution: The same species as Indain/Bombay Rosewood except that it is plantation grown in Indonesia.

General Description: From rose to dark purple-black lines terminating the growth zones. The grain is narrowly interlocked producing a ribbon grain figure; the texture uniform and moderatley coarse and the surface dull but with a fragrant scent. It weighs about 850kg/m3 (53lb/ft3); specific gravity .85.
Mechanical Properties: The material has high bending and crushing strengths with low stiffness and medium resistance to shock loads.

Seasoning: The timber air dries fairly rapidly with no undue degrade but must be protected against too rapid drying to avoid surface checking and end splitting. Kiln dries well but slowly and the colour improves during this process. There is small movement in service and it has remarkable dimensional stability.

Working Properties: There is severe blunting of cutting edges and is fairly hard to saw or machine due to calcareous deposits present in some of the vessels (the heart is usually boxed out in conversion). It is not suitable for nailing. Glues satisfactorily and requires grain filling for an excellent polished or waxed finish.

Durability: very durable and moderately resistant to termites. The sapwood is liable to attack from powder post beetle.

Uses: This very handsome timber is used for high-class furniture, cabinet making, shop, office and bank fitting, flooring, musicalnstruments, boat building, brake blocks, posts, rafters and exterior joinery. It is an excellent turnery wood. Selected logs are converted into valuable decorative veneers for panelling, doors, cabinets and luxury interiors.

JBT Comments: As this is plantation grown it tends to have a much more uniform straight grain compared to the Indian forest grown stock. As there are export restrictions on Indian Rosewood with nothing larger than 1ins x 4ins, 2ins x 2ins etc permitted for export. Sonokeling is the only true Rosewood now commercially available in reasonable specifications.

Grade: FAS

Specification: 4ft and longer, 4ins and wider.

Stockholding: Limited kiln dried stocks available with larger quantities to order 4-6 weeks in 1ins, 11/2ins, 2ins and 3ins thickness.