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Exotic timber is difficult to define as it varies by location. It refers to timber acquired from non-native sources. Examples include South American woods like Bolivian rosewood and African exotics like Sandlewood from Tanzania. The Far East and other regions also produce exotic timber.
Exotic timber is a somewhat difficult term to define as timber originating in one global region may be considered exotic in another, making the definition specific. Other than the natural occurrence of timber species in a given location, there are no other specific characteristics that apply to exotic timber. In many Western countries, such as the United States, these include South American woods such as Mexican bocote, Bolivian rosewood and Argentine lignum. Exotic Asian woods include Burmese Rosewood, Beeswing Narra and Macassar Ebony. Some of the African exotics are South African Tabootie, Quilted Sapele from Cameroon and authentic Sandlewood from Tanzania.
The term “exotic timber” is generally used to describe timber acquired from non-native sources rather than one or the other specific characteristics of the wood. Indeed, in many cases, exotic timber may be grown in, but not native to, a specific country and still be classified as such. This is not to say that some of the wood species mentioned do not grow in the region, rather that they are not native species.
Several types of exotic timbers come from the southern neighbors of North America. Mexico is home to woody species such as Bocote and multicolored Ziricote, while Lignum Vitae is found in Central America. Lumber species such as Osage Orange and Lignum are from Argentina, while Bloodwood, Brazilian Tulipwood, and fine-figured Brazilian Kingwood are from Brazil. Other South American exotic wood types include Peroba Rosa from Paraguay and Bolivian Rosewood from Bolivia.
The Far East is home to several valuable exotic timber species, including Cochinchin Burl from Thailand, Burma Blackwood from Southeast Asia, and Borneo Rosewood from Suriname. Laos is a prolific Asian producer of exotic hardwoods with black and white ebony, Amboyna and both burl and figured Afzelia native to the area. Beeswing Narra is another of Southeast Asia’s strikingly figured timber species, as is black palm wood. India is also a strong source of exotic woods such as East Indian rosewood and Indian ironwood.
The African region also produces several varieties of notable exotic timbers, including the fragrant and hardy South African Tambootie, West African Zebrawood and Striped Ebony which are found over large areas of the continent. Leadwood, Quilted Sapele and genuine Sandlewood are also Central African species. South Africa is also home to both plain grain pink ivory and figured ivory, as well as mopane and wild olive. Cameroon and Morocco are home to exotic hardwoods such as Bubinga and Thuya Burl, both with unique grain formations. Other regions, such as Europe, the Middle East and Australia, also produce amazing types of timber, which are considered exotic in other parts of the world.
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