Calaba

Scientific name: Calophyllum calaba

Overview

Calaba is a tropical hardwood native to the Caribbean and West Indies, where it has long been valued for its durable timber, attractive appearance, and ecological importance. As a member of the Calophyllum genus, it is closely related to several commercially important tropical hardwoods found throughout the Americas and the Pacific region.

The wood is known for its strength, moderate density, and resistance to decay, making it suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Heartwood typically ranges from golden-brown to reddish-brown and often develops a deeper, richer appearance as it ages.

Historically, Calaba has been used for construction, furniture, boatbuilding, and general woodworking throughout the Caribbean. Today, it remains an important regional hardwood and an interesting addition to collections focused on Caribbean timber species.

Within the Caribbean & West Indies hardwood group, Calaba is recognized as one of the region’s traditional utility and furniture woods.

Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Calaba
  • Scientific Name: Calophyllum calaba
  • Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods
  • Tree Size: 60–100 ft tall, 2–5 ft trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 45 lbs/ft³ (720 kg/m³)
  • Janka Hardness: 1,500 lbf
  • Color: Golden-brown to reddish-brown
  • Grain: Straight to interlocked
  • Texture: Medium

Identification Characteristics

Calaba is characterized by its warm brown coloration, moderate density, and attractive grain patterns. The heartwood often displays golden-brown to reddish-brown tones, sometimes accompanied by darker streaks and subtle figure.

The grain may be straight or slightly interlocked, producing occasional ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. The wood possesses a moderate natural luster and finishes well.

Key identification traits include:

  • Golden-brown to reddish-brown coloration
  • Straight to slightly interlocked grain
  • Medium texture
  • Moderate natural luster
  • Good dimensional stability
  • Occasional ribbon figure
  • Durable heartwood
  • Moderately dense structure
  • Smooth finished appearance

Working Properties

Calaba is generally considered a good woodworking species and performs well in both hand-tool and machine operations.

  • Machines well
  • Turns well
  • Carves cleanly
  • Good gluing properties
  • Accepts stains and finishes readily
  • Sands smoothly
  • Good nail and screw holding
  • Moderate wear resistance
  • Produces attractive finished surfaces

Safety Note

Wood dust from Calaba may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during woodworking operations.

Common Uses

Calaba common uses include:

  • Furniture
  • Cabinetry
  • Boatbuilding
  • Flooring
  • Interior millwork
  • Architectural trim
  • Woodturning
  • Carvings
  • General construction
  • Decorative woodworking
  • Collector wood samples
  • Specialty lumber projects

Sustainability & Notes

Calaba occurs throughout portions of the Caribbean and has historically been an important regional timber species. The tree contributes to tropical forest ecosystems by providing habitat, canopy cover, and ecological stability within island environments.

Like many Caribbean hardwoods, local populations may face pressure from development and habitat loss. Sustainable forest management practices are important to ensure the long-term health of native populations.

The species remains valued both for its timber qualities and its role in preserving the biodiversity of Caribbean forests.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

West Indian Laurel – A related Caribbean hardwood species known for its attractive appearance and utility applications.

West Indian Mahogany – One of the Caribbean’s most famous furniture woods, prized for its beauty and workability.

West Indian Satinwood – A decorative hardwood valued for its golden color, fine texture, and natural luster.

Related Guides

How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by End Grain Pattern – Learn how grain structure, figure, and texture can help identify tropical hardwood species.

Best Woods for Outdoor Use – Discover which hardwoods perform best when exposed to moisture and changing weather conditions.

Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability – Understand how moisture affects wood movement, stability, and long-term durability.

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

Calaba is an excellent addition to Caribbean hardwood collections due to its historical importance, attractive appearance, and regional significance. Well-prepared specimens often display warm coloration, subtle figure, and the moderate density typical of many high-quality tropical utility hardwoods.

Collectors interested in Caribbean species frequently include Calaba as a representative example of the traditional hardwoods that have supported woodworking and construction throughout the islands for generations.

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.

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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:

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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.

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