Pau Ferro
Scientific name: Machaerium villosum
Overview
Pau Ferro is a dense South American hardwood valued for its strength, stability, and attractive grain patterns. Native to Central and South America, it is widely used in fine woodworking, musical instruments, and specialty applications.
Often referred to as “Bolivian Rosewood,” Pau Ferro is not a true rosewood but shares some visual and working similarities, making it a popular alternative where traditional rosewoods are restricted.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Pau Ferro
- Scientific Name: Machaerium villosum
- Region: South American Hardwoods (Brazil, Bolivia, and surrounding regions)
- Tree Size: 60–100 ft tall, 2–3 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 63 lbs/ft³ (1,010 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 3,000 lbf
- Color: Medium to dark brown with black or darker streaks
- Grain: Typically straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine to medium
Identification Characteristics
Pau Ferro is identified by its medium to dark brown coloration accented with darker streaks that can appear black or olive in tone. The grain is typically straight but may show interlock or subtle figure depending on the cut.
Sapwood is usually pale and clearly differentiated from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Brown heartwood with dark streaking
- Fine to medium texture
- Open pore structure
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Pau Ferro machines well with sharp tools and is generally considered pleasant to work despite its density.
- Machines and turns cleanly
- Interlocked grain may cause minor tear-out
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
Its balance of hardness and workability makes it popular for precision components.
Safety Note
Dust from Pau Ferro 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 Ferro is commonly used in fine and specialty applications, including:
- Musical instruments and fingerboards
- Furniture and cabinetry
- Tool handles
- Turned objects
- Decorative panels and accents
Its stability and appearance make it especially suitable for detailed work.
Sustainability & Notes
Pau Ferro is not currently listed under CITES restrictions and remains commercially available. Availability varies by species and region, and responsible sourcing is encouraged.
Buyers should seek suppliers that document legal harvesting and sustainable forestry practices.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Cocobolo – A dense and oily tropical hardwood known for its vibrant color and use in fine woodworking and musical instruments.
Granadillo – A hard tropical hardwood valued for its durability and attractive reddish-brown color, often used in instrument making and specialty woodworking.
Ziricote – A visually striking hardwood with dramatic dark figuring, commonly used in high-end furniture and decorative applications.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain contrast and color variation helps distinguish decorative tropical hardwoods used in fine woodworking.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and working properties of dense hardwood species.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Choosing the right finish helps enhance the natural color and grain patterns of 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
Pau Ferro is appreciated by collectors for its refined appearance, stability, and versatility. Boards with strong streaking and even coloration are especially valued for visible applications.
Collectors often favor well-seasoned stock, as it machines more predictably and finishes evenly. Proper storage helps preserve surface quality and long-term stability.
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.
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.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
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:
• 3M XtractNet Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Multi-Pack for virtually dust-free sanding and fine surface finishing
https://amzn.to/4nPgt9Z
• 3M P100 Respirator Cartridge and Filter Set for protection against dust, organic vapors, and airborne particles during woodworking and finishing
https://amzn.to/4f0z7t1
• FONAROLL Microfiber Wax Applicator Pads for applying waxes, oils, and fine wood finishes evenly across surfaces
https://amzn.to/4a9ANgn
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.