Pau Amarelo
Scientific name: Euxylophora paraensis
Overview
Pau Amarelo is a rare and visually striking South American hardwood best known for its vivid yellow coloration and fine texture. Native to Brazil, it has historically been used in fine furniture, decorative work, and specialty applications where color and refinement are paramount.
Because of its limited natural range and historical overharvesting, Pau Amarelo is now encountered far less frequently than many other tropical hardwoods, adding to its collector appeal.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Pau Amarelo
- Scientific Name: Euxylophora paraensis
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Brazil – Amazon Basin)
- Tree Size: 100–130 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 62 lbs/ft³ (995 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 3,040 lbf
- Color: Bright yellow to golden yellow, darkening slightly with age
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Pau Amarelo is identified by its intense yellow heartwood and fine, uniform texture. The grain is typically straight, producing smooth, clean surfaces. Color is the primary identifying feature, often appearing unusually bright compared to other hardwoods.
Sapwood is pale and usually clearly distinguished from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Bright yellow heartwood
- Fine, even texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Smooth surface with natural luster
Working Properties
Pau Amarelo is generally considered pleasant to work and suitable for precision woodworking.
- Machines and hand-tools cleanly
- Sands to a very smooth surface
- Glues reliably
- Finishes evenly
- Good dimensional stability
Its fine texture makes it well suited for detailed and decorative applications.
Safety Note
Dust from Pau Amarelo 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
Pau Amarelo is most commonly used in decorative and specialty applications, including:
- Fine furniture and cabinetry
- Decorative panels and accents
- Turned objects
- Inlays and small specialty items
- Collector and presentation pieces
It is rarely used for large structural components.
Sustainability & Notes
Pau Amarelo has experienced significant historical overharvesting and is now considered uncommon. Availability is limited, and much of the material encountered today is reclaimed, salvaged, or sourced from managed forests.
Responsible sourcing is essential, and buyers should verify legality and origin when acquiring this species.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Garapa – A yellow-toned South American hardwood commonly used for decking and exterior applications, generally slightly less dense than Pau Amarelo.
Tatajuba – Another durable tropical hardwood with golden to yellow coloration, frequently used in outdoor construction and furniture.
Peroba Rosa – A South American hardwood used in furniture and architectural woodworking, typically more varied in color with pink to reddish tones.
Related Guides
Wood Strength
Learn what determines wood strength, including density, stiffness, and resistance to bending and impact.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and wear resistance of hardwood species.
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
Dense tropical hardwoods require sharp tools and careful machining to achieve clean cuts and smooth finishes.
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
Pau Amarelo is highly prized by collectors for its vivid natural color and rarity. Boards with uniform yellow coloration and minimal defects are especially desirable for visible applications.
Collectors often prefer well-aged material, as color and stability tend to improve over time. Proper storage away from direct sunlight helps preserve surface quality and prevent uneven darkening.
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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.
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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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