Paradise Tree

Scientific name: Simarouba tulae

Overview

Paradise Tree is a small to medium-sized tropical hardwood native to Puerto Rico and portions of the Caribbean. A member of the Quassia family (Simaroubaceae), the species is closely related to several tropical trees known for their ecological importance and adaptability to warm coastal environments.

The tree is commonly found in dry forests, coastal woodlands, and lowland tropical habitats where it provides food and shelter for wildlife. While Paradise Tree is not considered a major commercial timber species, its wood is occasionally used for small woodworking projects, carvings, utility items, and specialty applications.

Because of its limited geographic range and relatively small size, Paradise Tree is encountered more often in botanical and ecological studies than in commercial lumber markets. Nevertheless, it represents an important component of Caribbean hardwood diversity.

Within the Caribbean & West Indies hardwood group, Paradise Tree is valued primarily for its ecological role and regional significance.

Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Paradise Tree
  • Scientific Name: Simarouba tulae
  • Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods
  • Tree Size: 20–50 ft tall, 8–24 in trunk diameter
  • Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft³ (530 kg/m³)
  • Janka Hardness: Approximately 850 lbf
  • Color: Pale yellow-brown to light brown
  • Grain: Generally straight
  • Texture: Medium

Identification Characteristics

Paradise Tree produces a light-colored wood ranging from pale yellow-brown to light brown. The wood is moderately lightweight and typically exhibits a clean, uniform appearance.

The grain is generally straight and the texture is medium, allowing the wood to machine and finish reasonably well. The species lacks the dramatic figure associated with many decorative tropical hardwoods but offers a pleasant and consistent appearance.

Key identification traits include:

  • Pale yellow-brown to light brown coloration
  • Generally straight grain
  • Medium texture
  • Moderately lightweight structure
  • Uniform appearance
  • Smooth finished surfaces
  • Moderate natural luster
  • Small to medium trunk size
  • Good workability

Working Properties

Paradise Tree is relatively easy to work due to its moderate density and straight grain.

  • Machines easily
  • Turns well
  • Carves satisfactorily
  • Good gluing properties
  • Accepts finishes readily
  • Sands smoothly
  • Easy to cut and shape
  • Moderate dimensional stability
  • Suitable for light woodworking projects

Safety Note

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

Common Uses

Paradise Tree common uses include:

  • Small woodworking projects
  • Carvings
  • Craft items
  • Turned objects
  • Utility items
  • Decorative objects
  • Collector wood samples
  • Educational collections
  • Native landscaping
  • Habitat restoration projects
  • Wildlife plantings

Sustainability & Notes

Paradise Tree is native to Puerto Rico and nearby Caribbean regions where it contributes to native forest ecosystems and biodiversity. The species is valued for its ability to thrive in tropical conditions and provide habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Because the tree is not widely harvested for timber, its ecological importance generally exceeds its commercial value. Conservation of native Caribbean forests helps ensure the long-term survival of species such as Paradise Tree and the wildlife that depend upon them.

The species serves as a useful representative of the many lesser-known hardwoods that contribute to the rich biological diversity of the Caribbean.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

Marlberry – A small Caribbean hardwood valued for its wildlife benefits and fine-textured wood.

White Stopper – A denser Caribbean hardwood known for its durability and attractive appearance.

Yellow Elder – Another small Caribbean tree better known for its ecological and ornamental value than for commercial timber production.

Related Guides

How to Start a Wood Collection – Learn how collectors build and organize wood sample collections from around the world.

Identifying Unknown Wood Samples – Discover techniques used to identify unfamiliar wood species using appearance, grain, texture, and physical characteristics.

Hardwood vs Softwood: Key Differences Explained – Understand how hardwood species differ from softwoods and how those differences influence wood performance.

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

Paradise Tree is an interesting collector species because it represents one of the lesser-known hardwoods native to the Caribbean. While rarely encountered in commercial lumber markets, well-prepared specimens help document the diversity of island hardwood species and their varying characteristics.

Collectors interested in Caribbean woods often appreciate Paradise Tree because of its regional significance and ecological importance within native forest communities.

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.

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Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.

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