Yellowheart
Yellowheart is one of the very few woods that is genuinely and consistently yellow. If your design calls for a bold yellow accent, this is the wood — nothing else delivers that color as reliably. It's also one of the best-value exotic imports, workable, stable (T/R ratio of just 1.2), and finishes beautifully. The smell while cutting is the main trade-off: notably unpleasant. Work with ventilation.
- Forgetting ventilation — the cutting odor is more offensive than most wood smells; a respirator and open shop door are non-negotiable
- Burning it during resawing — use sharp blades and avoid dwelling; burned yellowheart smells awful and is hard to sand out
- Pairing it with woods that also color-shift significantly — plan for how the yellow will look after UV exposure (it holds its color well, but neighboring woods may not)
Consistent pale to golden yellow heartwood — one of few woods to hold a truly vibrant yellow color. Darkens only slightly with age. Sapwood is pale yellow-white.
Easy to work in most cases. Interlocked or figured grain increases tearout risk. Moderate blunting effect on cutters. Has a mild, distinctly unpleasant smell when worked — ventilate well. Glues and finishes exceptionally well.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Regional / select dealers |
| Europe | Regional / select dealers |
| South America | Widely available |
| Africa / Middle East | Specialty importers only |
| Southeast Asia | Specialty importers only |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |