HONDURAN ROSEWOOD

Rosul / Dalbergia stevensonii

Local Tree

Palisandro de Honduras, Honduras Rosenholz, Palissandre du Honduras

Distribution & Tree

Guatemalan rosewood or rosul historically occurred in large concentrations between Sarstoon and Monkey Rivers in Guatemala and Belize, particularly along rivers. It is one of at least four species within the Dalbergia genus of true rosewoods found in Guatemala and the most common in the Izabal department. It attains a height of 30 meters, with trunk diameters up to 90 centimeters. Trunks are often short and forked at about 7.5 meters from the ground. Mature trees often host wasp, bee and ant colonies.

Wood Appearance

Rosul’s heartwood is pinkish-brown to purple with alternating dark and light zones forming a very attractive figure, distinct from yellowish sapwood. Its texture is medium to fine with a grain generally straight to slightly interwoven. Its luster is low to medium. The fresh wood has an aromatic odor which fades over time.

Processing Properties

Rosul is moderately difficult to saw and machine due to its hardness. It’s excellent for turning and finishes well. It can be oily and, when so, difficult to glue. It is well suited for turnery.

Strength & Durability

Rosul’s heartwood is highly durable, resistant to termites, fungi and dry wood borers.

Wood Uses

It’s used for musical instrument components, veneers for fine furniture and cabinets, brush backs, knife handles, fine turnery, cheese sets, and many specialty items.

Ecological & Social Importance

Rosul has similarities to granadillo (Dalbergia tucurensis), but is significantly denser (930–1,170 kg/cm3 versus 650–820 kg/cm3). Rosul is medium to dark pinkish brown with dark streaks whereas granadillo is yellow brown to brown sometimes with dark streaks. Rosul is on the CITES appendix II and granadillo CITES appendix III.

Values determined at 12% humidity
			Reference Species
Technical Characteristics		Honduran Rosewood	Ipe	Hickory (Shagbark)
Density	kg/m3	1,025	945	800
Janka Hardness	kgf	997	1,515	853
Bending Stiffness (Modulus of Elasticity)	GPa	22.0	22.1	14.9
Bending Strength (Modulus of Rupture)	MPa	NA	177.0	139.3
Crushing Strength	MPa	NA	93.8	63.5
Shrinkage, Radial	%	NA	5.9%	7.0%
Shrinkage, Tangential	%	NA	7.2%	10.5%
Shrinkage, Volumetric	%	9.0%	12.4%	16.7%
T/R Ratio		2.5	1.2	1.5

DENSITY

JANKA HARDNESS

BENDING STIFFNESS

BENDING STRENGTH

CRUSHING STRENGTH

SHRINKAGE

Values are for reference only and cannot be guaranteed. Wood is a natural material and physical and mechanical properties may vary depending on age, genetics, and other factors. We encourage customers to consult the references provided in the bibliography. For further explanations of wood’s key technical characteristics, an excellent resource is the Wood Database with articles on Density (average dried weight); Janka hardness; Elastic Modulus; Rupture Modulus; Crushing Strength; Radial, Tangential and Volumetric Shrinkage.

References	View Source
Honduras Rosewood. Wood Technology Transfer Fact Sheets. Forest Products Laboratory. USDA Forest Service.
Rosul. Vignote Peña "Principales Maderas Tropicales Utilizadas en España." Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Stevenson, N. "The Honduras Rosewood." Tropical Woods, No 12, Yale University, Dec 5, 1927.
The Wood Database
Valdez, M.A. "Analysis of Regeneration by Coppicing of Stevensonii in Belize." Universidad Internacional de Andalucia. 2019.
Wiemann, M. et al. "Separation of Dalbergia stevensonii from Dalbergia tucurensis." FPL, USDA. 2012.

HONDURAN ROSEWOOD​