White Seraya
Scientific name: Parashorea malaanonan
Overview
White Seraya is a large tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It belongs to the Dipterocarp family, a group known for producing many important commercial Asian hardwoods. White Seraya is valued for its light coloration, workable nature, and use in interior construction, plywood, furniture, and architectural millwork. Compared to denser tropical hardwoods, it is lighter in weight and easier to machine.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: White Seraya
- Scientific Name: Parashorea malaanonan
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–180 ft tall, 4–7 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft³ (545 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 830 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow to light brown
- Grain: Straight to shallowly interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
White Seraya typically displays a pale yellow to light brown appearance with a generally straight grain pattern. Some boards may show shallow interlocking grain that creates mild ribbon figure on quartered surfaces. The wood has a softer visual appearance than many dense tropical hardwoods.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale yellow to light brown coloration
- Straight or lightly interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Occasional subtle ribbon figure
Working Properties
White Seraya is considered relatively easy to work with using both hand and machine tools. The wood cuts cleanly, sands well, and accepts finishes without major difficulty. Its lighter density makes it easier to process than many tropical hardwood species.
- Easy to machine and sand
- Generally stable during drying
- Accepts stains and finishes well
- Lightweight compared to many tropical hardwoods
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
White Seraya is commonly used in both commercial and decorative woodworking applications.
- Interior millwork
- Plywood
- Cabinetry
- Furniture
- Doors
- Architectural trim
Sustainability & Notes
As with many Dipterocarp species, responsible sourcing is important due to regional forestry pressures and habitat loss in portions of Southeast Asia. Availability can vary depending on import markets and forestry regulations.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Meranti – Another major Southeast Asian hardwood group commonly used in plywood and construction.
Lauan – A related commercial trade grouping within the Dipterocarp family.
Mersawa – A denser tropical Asian hardwood with somewhat similar appearance and applications.
Related Guides
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods – Explains how tropical hardwoods should be stabilized before woodworking use.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability – Covers how lighter tropical hardwoods react to environmental changes over time.
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Explains why stable and workable hardwoods are commonly selected for cabinetry and furniture applications.
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
White Seraya is less commonly collected than highly figured tropical hardwoods, but it remains important within the broader study of Southeast Asian commercial timber species. Clean ribbon-figured boards and well-preserved samples are especially useful for educational collections.
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Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
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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:
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