Wood Species Guide
Siamese Rosewood
Dalbergia cochinchinensis
Also called: Thai Rosewood, Siam Rosewood, Trac, Phayung
About the name “Siamese Rosewood”
Siamese rosewood is one of the woods sold in China as hongmu, a furniture trade category that groups several unrelated dense red woods. Names like "Thai rosewood" are also stretched to other Asian Dalbergia species, so ask for the botanical name and permits.
What Siamese Rosewood looks like
Heartwood is a medium to deep reddish brown with dark brown to black streaks. The pale yellowish sapwood is sharply set off.
Grain and texture
Grain is straight to slightly interlocked, with a medium to fine, even texture and good luster.
Working Siamese Rosewood: planing, cutting and gluing
Works fairly well for its density, but like all rosewoods the oils make gluing and finishing tricky. Wipe joints with acetone before glue-up. It turns well and polishes nicely.
Finishing Siamese Rosewood: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Buff with wax or use an oil-friendly finish. For film finishes or epoxy, wipe with acetone and seal with shellac first so the oils don't stop the cure. Dark dust can bleed into light fills, so seal before a pour.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable, though it is rarely used where rot resistance matters because it is so valuable. It is stable once dry. Keep finished pieces in steady AC in Florida.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Siamese rosewood has been heavily poached for the Asian furniture trade, and legal supply is now scarce. What reaches the US is mostly small turning blanks and burls with paperwork. It is a beautiful turning wood, but buy only from sellers who can show permits. Ask us if you need a piece; we can often source documented stock.
Common uses for Siamese Rosewood
Fine furniture, turned objects, carvings, musical instruments 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 threatened on the IUCN Red List because of illegal logging and habitat loss.
Safety and toxicity
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Skin irritation
A sensitizer like most true rosewoods. Skin irritation, rashes and hives 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.
Siamese rosewood has been reported as a sensitizer, most often causing skin irritation, rashes or hives. Use dust extraction, a respirator and gloves.
Siamese Rosewood in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Siamese 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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