Narra
Narra is the national tree of the Philippines and one of Southeast Asia's most valued hardwoods. In straight lumber form it's a well-behaved, stable, pleasant-smelling exotic. In burl form (sold as Amboyna) it becomes something else entirely — one of the most extravagantly figured and expensive decorative woods anywhere. The two forms are from the same tree yet barely recognizable as related. Excellent dimensional stability (T/R 1.4) and very low volumetric shrinkage make it a reliable choice for furniture and instruments.
- Conflating Narra lumber with Amboyna burl in pricing expectations — they come from the same tree but price in entirely different universes
- Skipping sourcing verification — Narra is IUCN Vulnerable; purchase only from suppliers who can document legal harvest origin
- Not accounting for interlocked grain — straightforward to work in most cases, but interlocked sections will tearout without adjusted technique
Heartwood ranges from golden yellow to reddish brown. Quartersawn surfaces show ribbon-stripe figure. Also found with mottled, beeswing, or curly figure. Burl wood (Amboyna) is one of the most prized and expensive decorative woods in the world.
Easy to work — one of the better-working Pterocarpus species. Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Turns, glues, and finishes well. Has a distinct, pleasant lingering fragrance even after working. Excellent dimensional stability.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Specialty importers only |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Specialty importers only |
| Africa / Middle East | Specialty importers only |
| Southeast Asia | Regional / select dealers |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |