what type of wood is koa

What is the significance of koa wood?

Koa wood is the most prized cabinet and furniture wood in Hawai'i. Colors range from light brown to deep red/brown hues. Highly figured koa is sought after for use in fine furniture, musical instruments, crafts, gunstocks, and knife handles. Koa has weight and strength properties similar to black walnut.

Is koa wood endangered or extinct?

Some people wrongly assume that Koa is an endangered wood. Nothing is farther from the truth. Koa has never been on any endangered list. In fact, today there is more Koa growing on the Big Island than in the past ten years. Reforestation efforts by the large plantation owners have accounted for the most new Koa trees growing today.

Is Brazilian koa the same as tigerwood?

Brazilian koa can be called by its botanical name: astronium fraxinifolium. If that seems like too much of a mouthful, you may also refer to it as tigerwood. Brazilian koa, or tigerwood, is grown in the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Guatemala. It is also grown in the neotropical forests of Mexico.

What does koa mean in hawiaiin?

The name Koa is of Hawaiian origin. The meaning of Koa is "brave, bold, fearless". Koa is generally used as a boy's name. It consists of 3 letters and 1 syllable and is pronounced Koa. Koa is a great choice for parents looking for a more popular name. A name fit for a child full of majesty and familiarity, a little trailblazer.

What kind of tree does Koa wood come from?

Acacia koaKoa belongs to the third largest plant family, the Pea or Legume family (Fabaceae). There are two endemic species of Acacia in the Hawaiian Islands: Acacia koa and A. koaia.

What is so special about Koa wood?

Koa Wood is legendary in Hawaii. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. Koa in battle.

Is koa a hardwood or softwood?

hardwoodKoa is a hardwood and has high crush resistance and shock absorbance. It is often compared to walnut, however, it weighs about 25% more and its interlocking grain makes for an exceptional figure. It's thin, light-colored sapwood surrounds the hardwood that woodworkers describe as lustrous, swirled marble.

Is koa a type of mahogany?

Koa acoustic guitars are usually rarer and more expensive, and they have a more unique grain. Both woods are dark although there are some variations in the shades between guitars....The Quick Answer.Mahogany Acoustic GuitarsKoa Acoustic GuitarsDark wood with a subtle grainDark wood with a prominent grain3 more rows

How much is a koa tree worth?

A koa tree—prized for its use in hand-crafted furniture—can be worth upwards of $50,000 in today's market. In theory, you could score $2,500 from a single tree.

What is another name for Koa wood?

Hawaiian AcaciaCharacteristics of KoaOrigin of Wood TypeHawaiiLumber GradesCommon 1 & 2, Select and Better, FAS, Quartersawn, Quartersawn (Figured), Flitch, Figured (Heavy), Figured (Medium), VeneerOther Trade NamesHawaiian Acacia, Acacia9 more rows•Jul 22, 2022

How can you tell if wood is koa?

You can identify Koa by examining three primary attributes; color, grain, and origin. Koa is generally reddish gold to dark brown in color. Its acute interlocking wood grain produces a highly curly or figured appearance. Its origin is always Hawaii.

Is Koa wood toxic?

Yes, Koa wood is food safe. It is allergen and toxic free.

How do you condition Koa wood?

Generally speaking, with the exception of some nuances, Koa wood maintenance is easy. It requires periodic dusting, oiling with furniture oil, and finishing with some form of polish or wood sealant.

Is koa better than Rosewood?

The Quick Answer. Rosewood acoustic guitars have a warmer tone due to their bass-frequency emphasis compared to koa acoustic guitars. Koa guitars sound brighter and have better note separation due to the treble-emphasis. Both woods are found on high-end guitars and typically suit fingerstyle players more than strummers ...

Is koa a good wood for guitars?

Lightweight, rigid, yet bendable, Koa is a great material for guitar manufacturers to work with. When paired with the right soundboard, it also has a wonderful tonal quality.

Is Koa wood the same as acacia?

The first thing to know is that acacia wood and koa wood are very similar. In fact, acacia is in the same family as koa and sometimes when shopping for an acacia wood ukulele, you will see it called “koa acacia.” There are about 1300 different kinds of acacia wood!

What did Hawaiians use Koa wood for?

Historically, Koa wood was used by early Hawaiians to build ocean-going canoes, surfboards, spear handles, and ukuleles. Koa was considered the wood of Hawaiian royalty. Today, Koa is one of the most valuable hardwoods in the world.

How can you tell real Koa wood?

You can identify Koa by examining three primary attributes; color, grain, and origin. Koa is generally reddish gold to dark brown in color. Its acute interlocking wood grain produces a highly curly or figured appearance. Its origin is always Hawaii.

Does Koa wood only grow in Hawaii?

Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii. The species Acacia Koa grows only in Hawaii and no place else in the world. Sure, other species of the acacia family grow in other parts of the world.

How rare is Hawaiian koa?

Koa is a tree that is a part of the pea family and is the second most common tree found in the Hawaiian Islands. Although it is the second most common tree in Hawaii, the tree is rare due to the over harvesting in years past, as well as the restricted areas in which it can be grown.

What is the most popular hardwood in Hawaii?

Koa is widely considered to be the most beautiful and useful of Hawaii’s native hardwoods, and along with Monkey Pod and Mango, it is the most common Hawaiian species to be imported into the lower 48 United States.

What color is a mahogany board?

Color/Appearance: Color can be highly variable, but tends to be medium golden or reddish brown, similar to Mahogany. There are usually contrasting bands of color in the growth rings, and it is not uncommon to see boards with ribbon-like streaks of color.

Is koa a grazing animal?

Comments: Although Koa is naturally quite abundant on the islands of Hawaii, most Koa forests have been cleared for grazing pastures; and since young Koa seedlings are edible for grazing animals, most new trees are prevented from growing to lumber-harvestable size.

Is Koa tree expensive?

Pricing/Availability: With the tree endemic to Hawaii only, and with supplies dwindling, Koa is likely to be rather expensive. Also, boards of highly figured and/or curly Koa can command fantastic prices.

Is Koa a rot resistant product?

Rot Resistance: Rated as non-durable to perishable regarding decay resistance, Koa is also susceptible to termite attack.

Is blackwood a substitute for koa?

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) is anatomically indistinguishable from koa, at least on a macroscopic level. (When viewed under microscope, about 50% of the rays in koa are uniseriate, while Australian blackwood’s rays are only about 20% uniseriate.) Notes: Heartwood fluoresces under blacklight.

Does Koa wood dust have a odor?

Koa turns, stains, and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Koa.

What is koa wood?

Koa Wood is legendary in Hawaii. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. Koa in battle . The word “ koa ” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, ...

Where does Koa wood come from?

All the wood comes from previously dead and fallen trees. In fact, Martin & MacArthur is the leader in reforesting Koa for future generations. The company was also one of the first to support the farming of Koa in the very area north of Hilo that was once the koa forest of King Kamehameha. Koa has a rich history in the heritage of Hawaii.

What was the Hawaiian koa used for?

Due to its widespread availability throughout the Hawaiian Islands, koa wood was used for every aspect of early Hawaiians’ life. Food was served in carve out Koa bowls called “ umeke .” Cutting and carving instruments for daily living called “ niho ‘oki ” were made from koa and shark’s teeth. These instruments were used in the same way as today’s x-acto knives.

Why are fences needed for koa trees?

Ironically, the fences once erected to keep cattle within boundaries are now erected to keep the cattle out of the areas where young koa trees are growing.

Why were koa forests eliminated?

Unfortunately, large tracts of koa forests were eliminated to make way for grazing cattle. North of Hilo, Hawaii, there is an area nowcalled umikoa, which was once a dense koa forest owned by King Kamehameha the Great. Unfortunately, almost all the koa trees were eliminated for herds of cattle that roamed the region.

What is a Koa?

The word “ koa ” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. Some of the early Hawaiian weapons were called “ l ei-o-mano .”.

How long do koa trees live?

Green and Growing. Koa trees have a natural life cycle of about 50-80 years due to the natural rot and decay that occurs to the trees over time. If you ever have a chance to visit the mid-elevations on the Big Islands, you will see that the circle of life continues as new koa trees are growing amidst trees that have naturally died and fallen.

How can you identify genuine Koa wood?

While visually Koa wood can vary slightly depending on the age of the tree and where it was grown, it can typically be identified by its rich golden or reddish-brown color. Secondly, is its distinctive interlocking grain pattern. And finally (and most importantly) is its origin. Genuine Koa wood always comes from Hawaii. Similar woods from the Acacia family found in different parts of the world are often missold as Koa but ultimately if it didn’t originate from Hawaii, it isn’t Koa.

What does Koa wood symbolize?

Koa wood represents strength and courage, the word Koa means warrior. In ancient Hawaii, Koa was the go-to wood used in the making of many ancient canoes, swords, and hand weapons - in part because Koa is a durable hardwood, engineered by nature to endure the toughest abuse. Its solidity and rigidity served to support ancient Koa warriors in combat. It is this combination of symbolic strength and its substantive hardiness that makes Koa wood the perfect material for jewelry making today.

What color is Koa?

Its beauty can be breathtaking. koa’s color spectrum and swirling grain pattern is as wide as they come; from mild ambers to brick reds, cinnamon brown s and bold charcoal streaks. When figured with curly tight flame, koa possesses a depth and allure that is truly from Kane.

What do builders look for in tonewood?

There are three main things that many builders look for in a great tonewood: workability, resonance, and appearance. In my opinion, koa has it all. Though its density can vary, I find koa to be fairly lightweight with excellent rigidity. It sands well without gumming up or leaving any oily residues.

What is the best wood for guitars?

Honduras mahogany has been considered a standard guitar tonewood for generations, known for its warmth and fullness. American and European maples have made the grade with all the flame and quilt. Indian rosewood and other more modern, exotic woods have hit the scene over the last 30-40 years, including ebony, lacewood, ziricote, cocobolo, walnut, cypress, and even mango wood!

Where is Tonewood native to?

Only found in, and native to the Hawaiian Islands, this beautiful, fast growing hardwood forest tree has an amazing history.

Does Koa sand well?

It sands well without gumming up or leaving any oily residues. It bends well, and finish adhesion is never a problem. When paired with a nice soundboard, koa has the crispness and clarity of the finest rosewood, but with all the warmth, thick tone, and airiness that mahogany possesses.

Is Koa a tonewood?

Adding to this is koa’s ability to be boisterous and brash, or soft and smooth if you so choose. Koa is also one of the few tonewoods that can literally take on a “two sided” role; as a back and side wood, and as a soundboard … making one dazzling piece of instrument!

What distinguishes Brazilian koa from other woods?

The uniqueness that distinguishes Brazilian koa from other woods is its shiny surface. Most trees have a tone that tends to be matte.

What is Brazilian Koa?

Brazilian koa, whose botanical name is Astronium fraxinifolium, is the fourth-strongest type of hardwood after Brazilian cherry, acacia, and Santos mahogany.

Why does Brazilian koa change color?

The Brazilian koa color change, and almost all hardwoods, is a result of natural processes. Wood is sensitive to light so exposure to the sun will slowly change its tone .

What is tigerwood used for?

We also usually call it tigerwood. Not only for flooring, but some people also experimented with using this valuable hardwood in other parts, for example, backsplash. You can also place it in other features of the house as a decoration. The popularity of tigerwood is not without reason.

What is the name of the wood that is a tiger?

Likewise, this wood also has another name tigerwood or zebrawood.

Where does zebrawood grow?

It is no wonder that the name zebrawood is also quite popular. As the name implies, the Brazilian koa tree grows in several regions such as Brazil and Peru. However, this plant can also grow in other South American states, such as Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay.

Is Brazilian koa lumber durable?

Thus, it can produce a sturdy and durable structure. However, like other building materials, you might find some disadvantages when using Brazilian koa lumber. There are various treatments needed for maximum results.