What is Rosewood?

Rosewood is a characteristically dark, highly grained wood from trees in the genera Tipuana, Pterocarpus, or Dalbergia. Trees from other species may also be sold with this name, since this wood has been traditionally prized for fine woodworking and musical instruments for centuries. Unfortunately, due to unsustainable harvesting practices, some rosewoods are in critical condition, and some ecologists believe that forests in regions like Brazil should be allowed to recover before any more is harvested.
These woods range in color from rich red to very dark brown. Older trees often have a rich aroma, especially Brazilian or Rio rosewood; the smell is reminiscent of roses, which explains the name. Older trees also accumulate essential oils, which can help to preserve the wood and to maintain the sweet, rich scent associated with it. In some cases, the essential oil is extracted from the trees and sold as a perfume or furniture polish.

Rosewood has been prized historically because it has a close, dense grain that makes it extremely strong and durable. Some types, such as Honduran rosewood, also have excellent resonance that makes them ideal for musical instruments like guitars and pianos. The wood also takes polish very well, and it holds up to a range of uses, from flooring to cabinetry. Furniture made from it may be left lightly waxed or unfinished, or it may be heavily varnished and polished to give it a more finished look. Some very beautiful examples of antique rosewood furniture can be seen in museums.
Trees in these genera favor tropical to subtropical conditions, and they are frequently found in rainforests, where they can form an important part of forest ecology by offering shelter to an assortment of animals. When rosewood trees are allowed to grow to full maturity, they can reach incredible heights that push them up into the rainforest canopy. These canopy trees can yield huge single sheets of wood for ambitious woodworking projects. Their timber is also often extremely showy.
No agency regulates the naming of “rosewood.” As a result, consumers can buy an assortment of products labeled with the term, and it can be difficult to tell whether or not wood from one of these genera was used. Some things to look for are close grain and a weight which feels heavy for the object's size. Ecologically conscious consumers may want to consider recycled rosewood, or alternatives to it, since high demand has threatened it in its natural environments.
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Discussion Comments
I have been working to restore a house that has a lot of original rosewood woodworking. The design is beautiful and the wood still retains a lot of its charm, but over the years it has been neglected and fallen into disrepair. I have probably rubbed a full gallon of rosewood oil into these feature to try and get them back to their original luster, but still they are not up to my standards. I am hoping that I can find a way to get this wood looking perfect or I may have to replace it with something else. That would really be a shame.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to get to go on a rainforest tour and I have seen live rosewood trees grown to maturity. Quite simply, they are spectacular. It is hard to believe that nature is able to produce something so big and strong and majestic. Standing at the bottom and looking up into that endlessly tall canopy, you get the feeling that the trees stretch all the way to heaven.
The sight is sublime, totally unlike anything I have ever seen before or since. I was humbled by the experience.
@chivebasil - I couldn't agree more. I love the look and smell of rosewood, but when I heard several years ago how stressed this species of tree had become I committed to only buying second hand or recycled rosewood. It is the responsible thing to do and there is a surprising amount of it available on the market. Now I can enjoy all of its beauty without worrying that I am degrading the earth in the process.
This article brings up an interesting tension between ecologically responsible and enjoying the aesthetics of a beautiful natural product. Rosewood is a gorgeous wood with a whole range of potential applications but every time a tree is harvested the future of the entire species is put in further jeopardy.
This reminds me of the debate from several decades back over ivory harvested from elephant tusks. It is a beautiful material that has been used in artistic production for centuries, but gathering ivory on a large scale is incredibly abusive to elephants and lead to lots of violence and poaching.
I think the point is that we all need to be responsible when taking things out of the natural world for our own. Consumption has consequences and we need to run every purchase through our conscience.
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