Bloodwood
Scientific name: Brosimum rubescens
Overview
Bloodwood is a dense South American hardwood best known for its deep red coloration and fine texture. Native to Central and South America, it is valued for both its striking appearance and its strength.
When freshly cut, Bloodwood displays a vivid red tone that deepens and darkens with age. Its color stability and smooth finish make it a popular choice for decorative and specialty woodworking applications.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of Bloodwood including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
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Quick Facts
- Common Name: Bloodwood
- Scientific Name: Brosimum rubescens
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Central & Northern South America)
- Tree Size: 80–120 ft tall, 2–3 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 58 lbs/ft³ (930 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,900 lbf
- Color: Deep red to dark reddish brown
- Grain: Usually straight
- Texture: Fine and uniform
Identification Characteristics
Bloodwood is identified by its intense red heartwood and fine, uniform texture. The grain is typically straight, with occasional mild interlock. Fresh surfaces often appear brighter, while older material develops a deeper, richer red tone.
Sapwood is pale and sharply defined from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Bright red to deep red heartwood
- Fine, even texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- High density and smooth surface
Working Properties
Bloodwood machines well despite its hardness and produces clean, crisp details with sharp tooling.
- Machines and turns cleanly
- Sands to a very smooth surface
- Glues reliably
- Finishes well with minimal pore filling
- Good dimensional stability
It’s fine texture makes it well suited for precision work and polished finishes.
Safety Note
Dust from Bloodwood may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Bloodwood is commonly used in decorative and specialty applications, including:
- Inlays and accents
- Turned objects
- Fine furniture details
- Tool handles
- Specialty woodworking projects
Its color makes it especially effective for contrast and visual highlights.
Sustainability & Notes
Bloodwood is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. As with all tropical hardwoods, responsible sourcing is encouraged.
Buyers should seek suppliers that provide documentation of legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
African Padauk – A brightly colored hardwood known for its vivid red to orange tones, though typically lighter and less dense than Bloodwood.
Purpleheart – A dense tropical hardwood known for its vibrant purple coloration, often used in decorative woodworking and specialty projects.
Jatoba – A strong and durable South American hardwood commonly used in flooring and furniture, typically darker and less vividly colored than Bloodwood.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain texture and color variation helps distinguish brightly colored tropical hardwoods.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time
Some vividly colored hardwoods may darken or shift in tone with exposure to light and air.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and working properties of hardwood species.
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
Bloodwood is favored by collectors for its rich natural color and fine texture. Boards with uniform red coloration and minimal defects are typically preferred for visible applications.
Collectors often note that Bloodwood darkens over time, developing a deeper, more subdued red. Proper storage away from direct sunlight helps preserve surface quality and color balance. Well-seasoned stock remains stable and finishes exceptionally well.
Video Overview
Learn Through Video
Watch a visual overview of Bloodwood, including its rich red color, smooth texture, and common woodworking uses.
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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.
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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:
HORUSDY 8-Pack Bar Clamps for Woodworking – https://amzn.to/4cx7iHb
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/4sS0mZO
CRAFT RESIN Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin Kit – https://amzn.to/4w7oj2v
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