Tigerwood

Tigerwood is the flooring-trade name for goncalo alves (Astronium spp., mainly A. fraxinifolium and A. graveolens), a Brazilian hardwood whose medium reddish-brown heartwood gets streaked dark brown to nearly black — on the boards that bother to earn the name, anyway.

Working Properties

For all its density, tigerwood only presents moderate machining challenges: wavy or interlocked grain takes a moderate toll on cutters, and its natural moisture resistance can throw a wrench into gluing. It turns and finishes well, and it's rated very durable against decay — this is a wood built to live outside.

Typical Uses

Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and small specialty items like pool cues and knife handles.