Wood of the Week: Yellowheart
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Wood of the Week: Yellowheart
Botanical Background: Euxylophora paraensis of the family RUTACEAE,the Citrus family, which includes some 900 species in 150 genera around the world, primarily in tropical and temperate regions, especially in southern Africa and Australia.
Common names: Pau-Amarello, Pequia setim, yellowheart, lima orana, pau setim, satinwood, boxwood, canary wood or sateen. According to wood technologist Jon Arno �while it�s (Euxylophora paraensis ) probably the most common species now sold as Yellowheart, there are a lot of other unrelated woods that also go by this common name and serve as Satinwood substitutes (the Canarywood genus; Centrolobium accounts for quite a few.) The less confusing common name for Euxylophora paraensis is Pau Amarello...but even the "amarello" ("amarillo") handle also gets abused in the trade.�
Variation:
Pau Amarello trees can grow to more than 130 feet tall and 30" in diameter. It has large leaves upwards of 10" long and 4" wide. It has a wonderful show of creamy white, fragrant flowers. The sapwood can be 1-2� in thickness. Pau Amarello heartwood is a bright yellow color, darkening a little on exposure to sunlight. There is little differentiation between heartwood and sapwood, or between spring and summer growth rings. The color is very consistent across the wood. It is usually straight grained and uniform, with no distinctive taste or odor. It dries relatively easily with limited checking and cracking. Dust from Pau Amarello or Yellowheart can cause skin rashes so take proper care if you have a sensitivity.
Pau Amarello trees are found almost exclusively in the State of Para, Brazil. This species has been assigned a conservation category of Vulnerable. The natural growth range of this species is reported to be restricted to the non-inundated lands of the lower Amazon region in Para, Brazil. It is not known at present whether timber from this species is obtainable from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reports that the species is a fairly important source of timber, and is frequently exported.
The average specific gravity is 0.70 Green to Ovendry, putting up with other tropical hardwoods (Bloodwood =.73) and far above common North American Hardwoods (Walnut = .51, Cherry = .47), Shrinkage is: Radial = 5.7%, Tangential = 6.5%, Volumetric = 12.8%, making a a relatively stable wood. The weight is 51-55 lbs. per cu. ft.
Working Characteristics:
Yellowheart is used as a craftwood predominately, cabinets, furniture, flooring and decorative turnings, particularly in inlays when a color contrast is desired. Its bright yellow color, gives it great appeal, for specialty woodworkers that are looking for a wood to highlight their woodcraft project.
Yellowheart is somewhat hard and heavy, with a fine texture and sands to a glass-like finish. It is a joy to turn. Unlike most tropical hardwoods, the wood comes off a turning gouge in tight little curls, not chips. It is quite durable and weather resistant.
This is not an oily wood, so it finishes with relative ease. Fine sanding produces a nice sheen.
It is relatively easy to work with for both hand and power tools. It holds screws and nails adequately, though it may require pre drilling,. It glues easily with all common woodworking glues.
Pau Amarello can exhibit a curly figure, then known as Pau Setim. Figured wood of this sort is much more difficult to plane, usually requiring an abrasive sander to avoid grain tearout. I have found that it is also more likely to twist, so store carefully, to preserve your "special" pieces.