Wood species

Monkey Pod

Albizia saman (syn. Samanea saman) · Fabaceae

Named for its spiral seed pods and called Raintree where the leaves fold in the rain. The Parota look-alike that is denser, harder and finer in texture, with curly or wild figure on the best boards.

Janka hardness: 900 lbf
Density: 38.0 lb/ft³
Shrinkage T / R: 3.4 / 2.0 %
Origin: Central and South America; planted and naturalized across the tropics
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Shop Monkey Pod in stock (3)All live edge slabs

Pictured: (Pre-Built) Monkey Pod Classic Cut Tabletop #PB169 112" x 39" x 1.2"

About Monkey Pod

Monkey Pod is golden to dark brown heartwood, often with darker streaks, against a thin band of yellow-white sapwood. The grain is usually straight but can run interlocked or wavy, the texture medium to coarse with open pores, and some boards carry curly or wild figure. It is a look-alike for Parota but noticeably denser and harder, with a finer texture. It works easily with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can fuzz or tear when planed, and it glues and finishes well; an oil finish deepens the browns and leaves the pores open. It is rated durable to very durable against decay. It suits dining tops, desks, benches and shelving. Ours are kiln dried in Zebulon, NC.

Working & finishing

Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can fuzz or tear during planing, so take the last pass by hand with the grain. Glues and finishes well. Open pores mean a film finish needs a fill or build coats; oil or hardwax leaves the pores open and deepens the browns. Wood dust has been reported as an eye irritant.

Care

Wipe spills and clean with a damp cloth. At 900 lbf it is a medium top, between poplar and walnut, so use pads under hard objects. Rated durable to very durable against decay, so a covered outdoor piece is reasonable; uncovered, it grays and moves without an annual oil.

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