Canarywood
Scientific name: Centrolobium microchaete.
Overview
Canarywood is a visually striking South American hardwood known for its bright yellow to orange coloration, often accented by red or brown streaking. Native primarily to tropical regions of South America, it is valued for both its appearance and balanced working properties.
It is commonly used in decorative woodworking, furniture, and turned objects where color and visual contrast are desired.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of Canarywood including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
Jump directly to the video section below to see this species in greater detail.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Canarywood
- Scientific Name: Centrolobium microchaete
- Region: South American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 50–100 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 48 lbs/ft³ (770 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,520 lbf
- Color: Bright yellow to orange with red streaks
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Canarywood is easily identified by its vibrant yellow to orange heartwood, often with contrasting reddish streaks that create a dramatic appearance.
Key identification traits include:
- Bright yellow to orange heartwood
- Frequent red or brown streaking
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium texture with a natural luster
Working Properties
Canarywood is generally easy to work and performs well in most woodworking applications.
- Machines and sands well
- Glues and finishes reliably
- Can burn slightly during machining
- Polishes to a smooth, glossy surface
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
Dust may cause mild irritation. Standard protective measures are recommended.
Common Uses
Canarywood is commonly selected for projects where color and visual impact are important.
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Turned objects
- Decorative veneers
- Musical instruments
Sustainability & Notes
Canarywood is not listed under CITES. It is harvested in several South American countries, and responsible sourcing is recommended.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Garapa – Similar yellow coloration but typically more uniform and less streaked.
Jatoba – Darker and heavier with a more reddish-brown tone.
Pau Amarelo – Comparable bright coloration with slightly finer texture.
Related Guides
Wood Identification
Useful for distinguishing brightly colored hardwoods.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Helps enhance the natural color and figure.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time
Important for understanding how vibrant woods age.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Canarywood is highly desirable among collectors due to its vivid coloration and striking streaking patterns. Pieces with strong contrast between yellow and red tones are especially valued, particularly for display or decorative applications.
Video Overview
Learn Through Video
Watch a visual overview of Canarywood, including its bold striped grain, color characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Wood Moisture Meter
Essential for checking wood moisture levels before working or finishing
https://amzn.to/3OxsIL4
Wood Finishing Oil
Enhances natural color and grain while providing protection
https://amzn.to/4ezoNYy
Saw Blades
Designed for clean, precise cuts across a variety of wood species
https://amzn.to/3QT2y64
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.