What is monkey pod wood?
The Monkey Pod (Albizia Saman) wood, also known as Monkeypod, Raintree, Suar, Rain Tree, and Mimosa, is native to Central and South America. Monkey Pod hardwood is moderately durable, strong, rot, and decay-resistant. These properties make it versatile, it can be used for all types of indoor and outdoor applications.
What is the scientific name of the monkeypod?
Common Name (s): Monkeypod, Monkey Pod, Raintree Scientific Name: Albizia saman (syn. Samanea saman, Pithecellobium saman) Distribution: Central and South America
Is the monkey pod tree native to Hawaii?
Despite having been introduced to and heavily used in Hawaii, the monkey pod tree, also known as a raintree, is not indigenous to the islands. However, Hawaii popularized the wood through their production of carved bowls designed as souvenirs for tourists.
How tall is a monkeypod tree?
Not only there, but monkeypods can also be found in tropical areas around the world. This wood tree is 100-125 feet tall, with a 3-4 feet trunk diameter. Monkeypod wood has a unique, and even exotic, look for some reason with beautiful grain figured.
Is monkeypod a good wood?
Monkey pod wood is rated as moderately durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, and it is resistant to most insect attacks. As for sustainability, the Monkey Pod tree is not in danger of extinction any time soon. It is currently not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
How can you tell if wood is monkeypod?
HOW TO IDENTIFY IT? Monkeypod wood is usually a warm golden to a darker brown color. It often times has darker streaks worked within the grain. Some of the monkeypod wood from Hawaii will have a more red hue to it.
Is monkeypod an acacia?
Monkeypod has quickly become one of the best selling species for live edge slabs. It is also referred to as Acacia or Raintree. It grows all over the world from Southeast Asia and Hawaii to Central and South America.
What does monkeypod look like?
Color/Appearance: Color tends to be a golden to dark brown, sometimes with darker streaks. Sapwood is usually thin and yellow/white, clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Monkeypod is sometimes seen with highly figured curly or wild grain patterns.
How do you clean Monkeypod wood?
Wood CareKeep monkey pod wood furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent the wood from drying out. ... Wipe down the surface of your monkey pod wood furniture with a soft cloth that has been dampened in warm, soapy water, as needed, to remove any sticky spills.More items...
Where is Monkeypod wood grown?
In the United States and its possessions, monkeypod grows in Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Marianas. It is naturalized in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (3,10). The tree was reportedly introduced into Hawaii in 1847, when Peter A.
Is monkey pod wood toxic?
Density: 3.17 lb./b.f. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Monkeypod wood dust has been reported as an eye irritant. Common Uses: Veneer, plywood, millwork/trim, carving, cabinetry, furniture, musical instruments (guitars and ukuleles) and other small specialty wood items.
Is monkey pod wood the same as acacia wood?
Monkey Pod wood is also known by some as acacia wood; however, acacias are actually a different genus. While they may have similarities, they will be different in the flowers they produce and the flat crowns that are higher than Monkey Pod.
Is acacia wood the same as monkey pod?
Monkey pod is frequently called acacia, though true acacias are a different genus altogether, and have higher, flatter crowns and slightly different flowers. Monkey pod wood is particularly suited for carpentry, furniture, and wood crafts.
Can you eat monkeypod?
Crack open a pod to find the seeds and a sticky, sweet pulp. You can typically find 15 to 20 seeds per pod. Both the pulp and the seeds are edible, and possess a licorice-like flavor [source: Flores].
Is monkeypod a tree?
Stately and iconic, the monkeypod is one of the most cherished trees of Hawaii—enhancing landscapes and streets, providing shade from the tropical heat, and serving as a keen reminder of the islands' dramatic natural history.
Is monkey pod wood good for outdoor furniture?
Our first tropical hardwood that works well for outdoor use has the nickname Raintree, more commonly known as Monkey Pod. Monkey Pod live edge slabs are extremely weather tolerant due to how dense they are and rot resistance which makes them adaptable to various climates.
What is monkeypod wood?
Monkeypod (Albasia saman) is also known as Raintree, is a Central and South American hardwood. Not only there, but monkeypods can also be found in tropical areas around the world.
The properties of monkeypod wood
This wood has a pretty good color, with a tendency to be golden to dark brown. Ads are also stripes with a darker color. Meanwhile, sapwood is white/yellow and looks different from heartwood.
Monkeypod wood advantages
Durable: This wood has good resistance, both to rot and insect attack. In resistance to rot, monkeypod wood is durable to very durable.
Monkeypod wood disadvantages
Pricing: Although we think the availability of monkeypod is good, that doesn’t make the price of this wood in the cheap range.
Monkeypod wood for veneer
You can use monkeypod wood as a veneer, although we think you’ll have to make your own. However, you can order it if you are interested in monkeypod veneers. If you want to use veneer from this wood, we hope you only use medium-priced.
Monkeypod wood for plywood
Not only veneers but monkeypod wood can also be used as plywood. We think this is very good, including its durability qualities and status as a hardwood. That might be the reason people choose a monkeypod to use.
Monkeypod wood for carving
It looks like carving is also not a bad choice for using monkeypod wood. You can make curved objects of high quality with a beautiful appearance.
What is monkey pod wood?
Some admirable qualities that make it a suitable choice of furniture material for craftsmen are that they have distinct textures and characteristics like the various knots and markings. They also grow really quickly with makes them an environmentally-friendly and commercially-friendly choice. The Monkey Pod tree has minimal shrinkage when drying, hence craftsmen appreciate this wood as they do not need to fret over degrading the wood. It is insect-resistant and rot-resistant. The grain pattern has a distinct and captivating contrast. With its straight-grained appearance and coarse texture, the Monkey Pod wood is a popular choice amongst designers and craftsmen.
Where do monkey pods come from?
Monkey Pod originated from Central and South America, it spans from Mexico through Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. Today, it is widespread throughout the tropics and some regions of the United States of America like Florida and Hawaii. Monkey Pod is a rather peculiar name for a tree and many believed that this name came about from the fact that monkeys enjoyed gathering on these trees to savor the sweet seed pods. A handful also believes that this name came about from the scientific name, Pithecellobium, which means “monkey earring” in Greek.
Why are monkey pods called monkey pods?
Monkey Pod is a rather peculiar name for a tree and many believed that this name came about from the fact that monkeys enjoyed gathering on these trees to savor the sweet seed pods. A handful also believes that this name came about from the scientific name, Pithecellobium, which means “monkey earring” in Greek.
How tall do monkey pod trees get?
With a large umbrella-like canopy, the Monkey Pod Tree can grow to an astounding height of about 50 to 80 feet. It also grows about 100 feet to 200 feet in diameter. It makes an amazing tree to provide shade. Due to this shade-providing quality, they can be commonly found along roadsides and parking lots.
Do monkey pods grow in dry climates?
These trees grow pink flowers in clusters that may resemble ‘powder-puffs’. Although monkey pods are usually found in tropical, seasonally dry climates, they can also thrive well in areas with regular rainfall. Hence, it is very adaptable and resistant to weather changes. RIKA COFFEE TABLE. Monkey Pod Table Details.
Is monkey pod wood rot resistant?
The Monkey Pod tree has minimal shrinkage when drying, hence craftsmen appreciate this wood as they do not need to fret over degrading the wood. It is insect-resistant and rot-resistant. The grain pattern has a distinct and captivating contrast. With its straight-grained appearance and coarse texture, the Monkey Pod wood is a popular choice amongst ...
What Is Monkey Pod Wood?
If the name sounds a little peculiar, that’s because it is and it isn’t commonly used. Monkey pod wood is more commonly known as raintree or saman in Spanish.
How Can You Tell If Wood Is A Monkey Pod?
Monkey pod wood is easily identifiable because of its porous and grainy nature. The color spectrum can be from dark to golden brown but in some varieties, it can have dark streaks of brown and red in it.
Why is a monkey tree called a rain tree?
The etymology of its lay name “raintree” came from the belief that monkey pod wood can actually produce rain at night. The tree’s leaves close up at night, letting rain pass through the crown easily.
What are the downsides of monkey pods?
The only downside to monkey pod is that it has a fairly course or grainy texture which means it may be labor intensive for the wood smith as it requires more polishing and finishing touches.
Is monkey pod lumber?
Although monkey pod easily categorizes as a craft wood due to its exotic origins, its price range makes it fair game for it to be considered as lumber.
Do monkey pods need to be kept in the sun?
Monkey pod wood furniture is no different. It’s a relief to know though that it doesn’t require anything other than the usual wood care and maintenance. For starters, it’s wise to keep the furniture out of direct sunlight as much as possible as it tends to dry out the wood.
Does monkey pod wood smell?
Monkey pod wood also has no known odors or smells which means that it melds well with any furniture polishes of preference once converted into wooden ornaments or furniture pieces.
How thick is monkey pod wood?
We take extra steps to improve the durability of the monkey pod wood, such as using 3-inch thick slabs as tops to construct our live-edge tables. Monkey Pod wood is also very adaptable to a variety of climates and weather-tolerant as well.
Where is monkey pod tree native to?
The Monkey Pod Tree (Scientific Name Albizia Saman), also known as Raintree, Suar, and Mimosa, is a hardwood tree native to Southeast Asia.
What wood do we use for live edge slabs?
We use monkey pod wood for our custom live edge slab shop for a few reasons: it's widely available and incredibly durable, yet it's beauty is second to none.
How hard is Janka wood?
The Janka Hardness rating for Monkey Pod wood is measured to be 900 pounds of force (4,010 Newtons). Its density comes in at 38 pounds per cubic foot.
How long does it take for a monkey pod tree to mature?
It is a fast growing species, and can reach maturity in 20 years or so. A Monkey Pod tree in Maui, HI.
Why is the monkey pod called the rain tree?
Another popular name for monkey pod is "rain tree." It's been named this, partly due to its leaves, which curl up at night, allowing rain to easily pass to the ground.
Where is the monkey table?
Unlike most tables, which are crafted from planked wood, a monkey table is a slab from its inception, being harvested as a whole piece from the tree, from bark to bark. The Hideaway Bar in Austin, Texas. This method causes each slab to vary widely in shape due to each tree's unique shape, formed over its lifetime.
Monkey Pod 101
Whether setting the table for a party, styling a dresser or organizing a desk, wooden serve ware is a must-have. The warm tone and subtle texture of walnut or monkey pod adds character and charm to each of these settings. Luckily, these versatile and stylish pieces are readily available and priced to sell.
What is Monkey Pod?
Golden brown in color with dark-brown streaks, this beautiful wood comes from ornamental trees native to South and Central America. Despite having been introduced to and heavily used in Hawaii, the monkey pod tree, also known as a raintree, is not indigenous to the islands.
Finders Keepers
To begin your own collection of wooden serve ware, start by going local. Head to flea markets, vintage shops and thrift stores before turning to online sellers, whose shipping costs might be as much as your piece.
Take Care
Unlike other serve ware, water won’t be a main component in cleaning these vintage beauties. Instead, opt for a simple wipe down with a damp cloth—but never allow a piece to sit in liquid. It will weaken the finish or cause it to bubble. Be sure to store them in a well-ventilated area, as dry air can cause damage like cracking.
Freshen Up
Looking to refinish a piece? Before you start sanding away, try to determine the wood species to ensure you use the proper oil—though mineral oil is most always a safe choice. For quick touchups on nicked corners and small scratches, a little stain on the corner of a rag or even a stain marker will do the trick.