Sindora
Scientific name: Sindora miq
Overview
Sindora is a group of tropical hardwood species native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The wood is valued for its durability, strength, and attractive reddish-brown coloration. Depending on the exact species, Sindora can range from moderately heavy to very dense and is commonly used in flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and structural woodworking. The wood’s combination of durability and decorative appearance has made it an important regional hardwood throughout Asia.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Sindora
- Scientific Name: Sindora miq
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 54 lbs/ft³ (865 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,050 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to dark brown
- Grain: Interlocked to irregular
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Sindora typically displays reddish-brown heartwood that darkens somewhat with age. The grain is often interlocked or irregular, occasionally producing ribbon figure on quartered surfaces. The wood generally has a coarse texture and strong visual character.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish-brown coloration
- Interlocked or irregular grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Occasional ribbon figure
Working Properties
Sindora can be moderately difficult to machine because of its density and grain structure. Interlocked areas may produce tearout during planning or shaping operations. Sharp tooling helps improve overall machining quality.
- Moderately difficult to machine
- Interlocked grain may cause tearout
- Durable and stable in service
- Accepts finishes well
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during woodworking operations.
Common Uses
Sindora is used in both decorative and structural woodworking applications.
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Heavy interior millwork
- Decorative veneers
- General construction
Sustainability & Notes
Availability and sustainability vary among individual Sindora species and regions. Responsible sourcing is recommended, especially for imported tropical hardwood material.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Merbau – Another dense Southeast Asian hardwood used for flooring and heavy-duty woodworking.
Kempas – A durable tropical hardwood often used in flooring and structural applications.
Kelat – A regional Asian hardwood group valued for strength and general woodworking use.
Related Guides
Preventing Tear-Out in Interlocked Grain – Covers machining techniques for difficult grain structures found in tropical hardwoods.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods – Explains how dense hardwoods should be stabilized before woodworking use.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species – Explains finishing options for tropical hardwoods with natural oils and dense grain.
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
Sindora is appreciated by collectors interested in Southeast Asian commercial hardwoods and dense tropical flooring species. Boards with strong ribbon figure or deep reddish coloration are especially attractive for educational and comparative collections.
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.
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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 Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator for protection against dust and airborne particles during sanding and woodworking
https://amzn.to/4wKyJoK
• Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter for non-destructive moisture detection in wood, drywall, and masonry
https://amzn.to/4upDKSd
• Pro Grade 2-Inch Foam Brush Set for applying stains, oils, finishes, and sealers to woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4drOpWx
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