Wood Information
Tulipwood;        Dalbergia frutescens;        Common Names:   Tulipwood,
Brazilian tulipwood, Pau rosa, Bois de rose, Pinkwood, Pau de fuso, Jacaranda rosa.
This is one of the true Rosewoods.
Distribution: The species is reported to be native to tropical South America, especially
Brazil.
Tree: Reported to be rather small, often with an irregular trunk. This wood is in short
supply, costly and difficult to find.
Wood: The sapwood is described as solid yellow to yellowish white. The heartwood has
irregular streaks of shades of yellow rose, pink and violet on a cream to salmon colored
background. There can be significant variation in the range of colors to this wood. Grain
is reported to be straight and course.
Odor: Tulipwood is reported to have a mildly fragrant floral scent when cut.
Properties: most reports agree that it is very hard, heavy and strong, splintery, difficult
to work with and causes severe blunting of cutting edges. Boring for nails and screws is
necessary; splinters easily. glues easily, good dimensional stability after seasoning. Low
shock resistance and stiffness. It turns very easily, although it tends to be full of small
cracks.
Uses: this wood was a favorite in French furniture in the Empire period but because of
the small size and very high cost it is generally found today only in inlays, marquetry,
turnery, and other small decorative fancy goods.
Harding Pens and Woodturnings
Wood Information
Pen #85
Pen #90 - Tulipwood; HardingPens.com