Wood Species Guide
Burmese Rosewood
Dalbergia oliveri (incl. D. bariensis)
Also called: Tamalan, Chingchan, Burma Rosewood
About the name “Burmese Rosewood”
"Burmese rosewood" is sometimes used loosely for other Asian woods, including Burma padauk, which is a Pterocarpus. True Burmese rosewood is a Dalbergia and needs CITES paperwork.
What Burmese Rosewood looks like
Heartwood runs from orange to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with black streaks, and holds its color better than many bright woods. The yellow sapwood is clearly set off.
Grain and texture
Grain is usually straight or slightly interlocked, with a medium-fine texture and good luster.
Working Burmese Rosewood: planing, cutting and gluing
Works reasonably well with hand and power tools but blunts edges quickly. Natural oils can slow glue and finishes, so wipe with acetone first. It turns and polishes well.
Finishing Burmese Rosewood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
An oil or wax finish brings out the orange-red glow. For film finishes and epoxy, acetone-wipe and seal first. Like most rosewoods it slowly darkens with light.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable against decay, with mixed insect resistance. It is stable once dry. Indoors in Florida, keep it in steady AC and finish all faces.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Burmese rosewood is less known in the US but is a respected furniture and tonewood in Southeast Asia, used for the bars of Thai xylophones. It is less scarce than some rosewoods but still needs CITES paperwork. It suits turned work, knife scales and small furniture accents. Ask us if you need a piece; we can often source documented stock.
Common uses for Burmese Rosewood
Furniture, flooring, percussion instruments, turned objects and small specialty items.
Sustainability and CITES status
Listed on CITES Appendix II with all Dalbergia rosewoods, so commercial shipments across borders need permits. It is rated Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of overharvesting.
Safety and toxicity
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Rated with the other Dalbergia rosewoods as a sensitizer. Eye, skin and airway irritation are the usual reactions.
- In the shop
- Full precautions: dust extraction, respirator, gloves and long sleeves
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Like other Dalbergia rosewoods, it has been reported as a sensitizer that can irritate eyes, skin and airways. Use dust extraction, a respirator and gloves.
Burmese Rosewood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Burmese Rosewood listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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