{"id":130,"date":"2008-12-23T14:46:26","date_gmt":"2008-12-23T20:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/?p=130"},"modified":"2025-07-21T12:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:28:31","slug":"kingwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/kingwood\/","title":{"rendered":"Kingwood"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/a> > Hardwoods<\/a> > Fabaceae<\/a> > Dalbergia <\/em><\/a>> <\/strong>cearensis<\/em>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tDATA SOURCE(S):<\/a> 10,15,20,34,36,63<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"\"<\/a>
Kingwood (Dalbergia cearensis)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Common Name(s):<\/strong><\/a> Kingwood, violetta, jacarand\u00e1-violeta, Brazilian kingwood<\/p>\n

Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/a> Dalbergia cearensis<\/i><\/p>\n

Distribution:<\/strong><\/a> Brazil<\/p>\n

Tree Size:<\/strong><\/a> 30\u201360 ft (10\u201320 m)<\/span> tall,
                     .5\u20131 ft (.15\u2013.3 m)<\/span> trunk diameter<\/p>\n

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC):<\/strong>SPECIFIC GRAVITY<\/b>
Specific gravity is the ratio of a wood\u2019s density to water (with water being 1.00). Two values are provided: basic SG (oven-dry weight & green volume) and SG at 12% MC (weight & volume at 12% moisture content).

Click on the link “Specific Gravity” for more details.<\/span><\/a> 0.89, 1.04<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Average Dried Weight:<\/strong>AVERAGE DRIED WEIGHT<\/b>
\nDensity is the measurement of a wood\u2019s weight per unit volume. Here, \"dried weight\" specifically refers to wood at 12% moisture content, and values are given in pounds per cubic foot and kilograms per cubic meter. Also keep in mind that density commonly varies by +\/- 10% from the average.
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\nClick on the link \"Average Dried Weight\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 65.1 lbs\/ft3<\/sup> (1,045 kg\/m3<\/sup>)<\/span> High WEIGHT TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>     0+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nVery Low:<\/b>   420+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nLow:<\/b>   520+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>   620+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium:<\/b>   730+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium-High:<\/b>   840+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nHigh:<\/b>   960+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nVery High:<\/b> 1,080+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 1,200+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO provisional strength groupings (SD1-SD8) based on density.<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Janka Hardness:<\/strong>JANKA HARDNESS<\/b>
\nThis test measures a wood\u2019s resistance to indentation, and is the pounds of force (or Newtons) required to embed a .444\" (11.28 mm) diameter steel ball halfway into the wood. Values are for side grain, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Janka Hardness\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 2,660 lbf<\/sub> (11,850 N)<\/span> High JANKA HARDNESS TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>      0+ N
\nVery Low:<\/b>  2,050+ N
\nLow:<\/b>  3,150+ N
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>  4,480+ N
\nMedium:<\/b>  6,280+ N
\nMedium-High:<\/b>  8,380+ N
\nHigh:<\/b> 11,080+ N
\nVery High:<\/b> 14,000+ N
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 17,450+ N
\n<\/span> Tiers are derived from CSIRO provisional strength classifications (SD1-SD8) in conjunction with the USDA's estimated hardness based on density.<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Modulus of Rupture:<\/strong>MODULUS OF RUPTURE<\/b>
\nSometimes called bending strength, this test measures a wood\u2019s strength before breaking (i.e., rupturing). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and megapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Modulus of Rupture\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 18,980 lbf<\/sub>\/in2<\/sup> (130.9 MPa)<\/span> Very High MOR TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>   0+ MPa
\nVery Low:<\/b>  45+ MPa
\nLow:<\/b>  55+ MPa
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>  65+ MPa
\nMedium:<\/b>  78+ MPa
\nMedium-High:<\/b>  94+ MPa
\nHigh:<\/b> 110+ MPa
\nVery High:<\/b> 130+ MPa
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 150+ MPa
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO strength classifications (SD1-SD8).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Elastic Modulus:<\/strong>MODULUS OF ELASTICITY<\/b>
\nThis test measures the wood\u2019s level of deformation when under a given load. Higher values indicate less deformation (i.e., stiffer). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and gigapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Elastic Modulus\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> No data available\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Crushing Strength:<\/strong>CRUSHING STRENGTH<\/b>
\nAlso called compression strength, this test measures the maximum stress sustained before failure. Force is applied parallel<\/i> to the grain (producing stress akin to chair legs). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and megapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Crushing Strength\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 10,150 lbf<\/sub>\/in2<\/sup> (70.0 MPa)<\/span> Very High CRUSHING STRENGTH TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>  0+ MPa
\nVery Low:<\/b> 30+ MPa
\nLow:<\/b> 36+ MPa
\nMedium-Low:<\/b> 41+ MPa
\nMedium:<\/b> 47+ MPa
\nMedium-High:<\/b> 54+ MPa
\nHigh:<\/b> 61+ MPa
\nVery High:<\/b> 70+ MPa
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 80+ MPa
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO strength classifications (SD1-SD8).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shrinkage:<\/strong>SHRINKAGE<\/b>
\nThese values represent the percentage change in radial and tangential faces of the wood\u2014as well as the total (volumetric) shrinkage\u2014as the moisture content goes from green (maximum) down to oven-dry (minimum), approximating the wood's stability with changes in humidity. T\/R ratio helps to estimate the uniformity of the shrinkage across different wood faces.
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\nClick on the link \"Shrinkage\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> Radial: 6.9%, Tangential: 9.3%<\/span> Very High SHRINKAGE TIERS<\/b>
\n Very Low:<\/b>   0%+   
\nLow:<\/b> 3.6%+   
\nMedium:<\/b> 5.1%+   
\nHigh:<\/b> 6.6%+   
\nVery High:<\/b> 8.1%+   
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on tangential shrinkage (green to oven-dry) from CSIRO shrinkage classifications (1-5).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span>\n
                          Volumetric: 16.5%, T\/R Ratio: 1.4<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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 <\/i>More Images<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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 <\/i>Identification<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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IUCN Status:<\/b><\/a>
Near Threatened<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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CITES Status:<\/b><\/a>
Appendix II<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Color\/Appearance:<\/strong><\/a> Heartwood is a dark purplish or reddish brown with darker black streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow and sharply demarcated from the heartwood.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Grain\/Texture:<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Grain is usually straight or occasionally interlocked. Fine, uniform texture and a high natural luster.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rot Resistance:<\/a> <\/strong>Reported as being very durable in decay resistance, and is also resistant to termites.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Workability:<\/strong><\/a> Tends to be difficult to work due to its high density. Kingwood has a moderate blunting effect on cutters, and tearout can occur during planing if interlocked grain is present. Can be difficult to glue<\/a> due to natural oils and high density. Turns very well and takes a high polish.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Odor:<\/a> <\/strong>Distinct, rosewood-like odor\u00a0when being worked.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Allergies\/Toxicity:<\/strong><\/a> Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, kingwood has been reported as a sensitizer<\/a>. Can cause eye and skin irritation, as well as pink eye. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity<\/a> and Wood Dust Safety<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Pricing\/Availability:<\/strong><\/a> Likely to be very expensive, and seldom available as lumber due to the small size of the tree itself. Kingwood is most often seen as smaller turning stock, with its cost being on par with other scarce rosewoods in the Dalbergia genus<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Sustainability:<\/strong><\/a> Kingwood is listed on CITES appendix II under the genus-wide restriction on all Dalbergia species<\/a>\u2014which also includes finished products made of the wood (though finished items under 10 kilograms are exempted). Additionally, kingwood is rated as being near threatened by the IUCN, remarking that prior to the CITES restrictions, there was ongoing harvesting of wild trees and exporting of timber, which\u00a0 “potentially resulted in local extinction in Cear\u00e1.”[1]<\/sup><\/a>Fernandez, E., Moraes, M., Negr\u00e3o, R. & Martinelli, G.\u00a0<\/span>2021.\u00a0Dalbergia cearensis<\/i>.\u00a0The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species<\/i><\/a>\u00a0Accessed on\u00a004 July 2025\u00a0.<\/span><\/span>