Because the Monkey Pod tree grows so quickly it makes it a very sustainable hardwood and is perfect for furniture manufacturers. The straight grain and coarse texture allows it to be relatively easily carved into interesting shapes. The trees were originally planted to offer shade for crops from the hot tropical sun.
What kind of wood is monkey pod?
The Monkey Pod Tree (Scientific Name Albizia Saman), also known as Raintree, Suar, and Mimosa, is a hardwood tree native to Southeast Asia. Due to its large canopy and natural beauty, many countries have elected to plant it on the sides of roads and in parks as an aesthetically pleasing way to provide shade.
Is monkey pod wood toxic?
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Monkeypod wood dust has been reported as an eye irritant. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Available as lumber, as well as craft wood in smaller sizes.
Is monkey pod wood the same as acacia wood?
Monkey pod is frequently called acacia, though true acacias are a different genus altogether, and have higher, flatter crowns and slightly different flowers. Monkey pod wood is particularly suited for carpentry, furniture, and wood crafts.
Is Monkey wood expensive?
Is Monkey Pod Wood Expensive? Although monkey pod easily categorizes as a craft wood due to its exotic origins, its price range makes it fair game for it to be considered as lumber.
Is Monkey Pod an acacia?
Monkeypod has quickly become one of the best selling species for live edge slabs. It is also referred to as Acacia or Raintree. It grows all over the world from Southeast Asia and Hawaii to Central and South America.
How can you tell if wood is a Monkey Pod?
HOW TO IDENTIFY IT? Monkeypod wood is usually a warm golden to a darker brown color. It often times has darker streaks worked within the grain. Some of the monkeypod wood from Hawaii will have a more red hue to it.
Can you eat monkey pod?
Crack open a pod to find the seeds and a sticky, sweet pulp. You can typically find 15 to 20 seeds per pod. Both the pulp and the seeds are edible, and possess a licorice-like flavor [source: Flores]. A monkeypod tree will live, on average, for about 80 to 100 years [source: Staples and Elevitch].
How do you clean monkey pod wood?
Wood Care
Keep monkey pod wood furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent the wood from drying out. Wipe down the surface of your monkey pod wood furniture with a soft cloth that has been dampened in warm, soapy water, as needed, to remove any sticky spills.
Why is it called monkey pod?
The Hawaiian common name, monkey-pod, is used here because it is a logical derivation of the scientific name Pithecellobium (monkey earring in Greek). Besides monkey-pod, raintree, and saman, which is its name throughout Latin America, the tree is called mimosa in the Philippines.
Is monkey pod sustainable?
Monkey pod wood is rated as moderately durable to very durable against decay, and it is resistant to most insect attacks. As for sustainability, the Monkey Pod tree is not in danger of extinction. It is currently not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
