Gonçalo Alves
Scientific name: Astronium fraxinifolium
Overview
Gonçalo Alves is a dense South American hardwood best known for its dramatic striping and high contrast coloration. Native to Central and South America, it is frequently marketed under the trade name “Tigerwood” due to its bold, dark streaks.
Valued for both its strength and visual impact, Gonçalo Alves is commonly used in flooring, furniture, and specialty woodworking applications where durability and appearance are equally important.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of this species including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Gonçalo Alves (Tigerwood, Muiracatiara)
- Scientific Name: Astronium fraxinifolium
- Region: Central American Hardwoods (Central & South America)
- Tree Size: 80–120 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft³ (995 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,160 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to dark brown with darker streaks and striping
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Gonçalo Alves is identified by its striking dark striping set against a lighter reddish or orange-brown background. The grain may be straight or interlocked, with figure ranging from uniform striping to more complex patterns depending on the cut.
Sapwood is typically pale and sharply defined, creating strong visual contrast when present.
Key identification traits include:
- High-contrast dark streaks
- Reddish to orange-brown heartwood
- Open pore structure
- Fine to medium texture
Working Properties
Gonçalo Alves works well with proper tooling but can be challenging due to its density and interlocked grain.
- Requires sharp carbide tooling
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
Its hardness and toughness make it suitable for applications that see regular wear.
Safety Note
Dust from Gonçalo Alves 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
Gonçalo Alves is used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Flooring
- Furniture and cabinetry
- Tool handles
- Decorative panels
- Specialty woodworking projects
Its combination of durability and appearance makes it a popular choice for both functional and decorative work.
Sustainability & Notes
Gonçalo Alves is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. However, responsible sourcing is encouraged due to regional concerns over harvesting practices.
Buyers should seek suppliers that provide documentation of legal harvesting and sustainable forestry management.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Granadillo – A dense Central American hardwood valued for its strength and rich reddish-brown color, often used in musical instruments and fine woodworking.
Ziricote – A striking decorative hardwood known for its dramatic dark figuring, commonly used in furniture, instrument making, and specialty woodworking.
Bocote – Another visually distinctive hardwood prized for its bold grain patterns and contrast, frequently used for turning, knife handles, and decorative projects.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
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How to Start a Wood Collection
Highlights the appeal of collecting visually distinctive species like Tigerwood as part of a curated wood sample collection due to its bold striping and unique appearance.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Choosing the right finish helps highlight the dramatic grain patterns often found in decorative hardwoods.
Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves
Explore Zebrawood vs. Goncalo Alves to compare two boldly figured exotic hardwoods and see how their appearance, density, workability, and applications differ.
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
Gonçalo Alves is appreciated by collectors for its bold striping and durability. Boards with consistent, high-contrast figure are especially sought after for visible applications.
Collectors often prefer well-seasoned stock, as freshly milled material can move during acclimation. Proper storage helps preserve surface quality and minimizes checking in dense boards.
Video Overview
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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:
• DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw for accurate crosscuts, bevels, and angled cuts
https://amzn.to/4tFPVK8
• POWERTEC 71002 Abrasive Cleaning Stick for extending the life of sanding belts and discs by removing buildup
https://amzn.to/421suz2
• BASE CAMP M Plus Reusable Dust Mask for protecting against wood dust during sanding and cutting
https://amzn.to/4cT8Aer
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