White Siris
Scientific name: Albizia procera
Overview
White Siris is a fast-growing tropical hardwood tree in the Fabaceae family, native across a broad portion of South and Southeast Asia. Albizia procera occurs from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar and other parts of Southeast Asia and has also been introduced into additional tropical regions. The species grows in a variety of forest types and disturbed environments and is used regionally for timber, fuelwood, shade, agroforestry, and land-management purposes.
The wood is generally pale yellowish brown to light brown, sometimes developing darker brown or reddish tones toward the center of mature trees. Compared with the darker Red Siris, White Siris typically has a lighter overall appearance. It is used regionally for furniture, cabinetry, interior construction, agricultural implements, boxes, general carpentry, and other utility applications. Its relationship to other Albizia timbers makes it particularly useful for comparative wood collections.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: White Siris
- Alternate Common Name(s): Tall Albizia, White Albizia
- Scientific Name: Albizia procera
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: Approximately 60–100 ft (18–30 m) tall, occasionally larger
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 38 lbs/ft³ (610 kg/m³), with variation according to growing conditions
- Janka Hardness: Reliable standardized species-specific value not widely documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
White Siris generally produces pale yellowish-brown to light or medium-brown wood. The sapwood is typically lighter and may range from nearly white to pale yellowish brown.
Heartwood can gradually become darker with age, sometimes developing brown or subtle reddish-brown tones. Grain is generally straight but can become interlocked, while texture typically ranges from medium to coarse.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale yellowish-brown to light brown heartwood
- Lighter cream to yellowish sapwood
- Moderate heartwood and sapwood contrast
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Occasional ribbon-like figure
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
White Siris generally has workable machining characteristics, particularly when compared with substantially denser tropical hardwoods. Straight-grained material should cut and shape readily with sharp conventional tools.
Interlocked grain can create localized tear-out during planing or surfacing. Sharp cutting edges, lighter passes, and attention to grain direction can improve results. Properly prepared material can be sanded and finished to an attractive surface.
- Machines reasonably well
- Cuts readily with sharp tools
- Suitable for carving
- Turns reasonably well
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Interlocked grain may produce tear-out
- Accepts finishes with proper surface preparation
Safety Note
Detailed species-specific information concerning reactions to White Siris wood dust is limited. As with other tropical hardwoods, machining dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during cutting, machining, and sanding.
Common Uses
White Siris is used regionally as a practical multipurpose timber, with its moderate density and workability making it suitable for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- General carpentry
- Light construction
- Agricultural implements
- Boxes and crates
- Carving
- Turned objects
- Utility woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
White Siris is a relatively fast-growing tree with a broad distribution across tropical Asia. In addition to timber production, the species may be incorporated into agroforestry systems, shade plantings, reforestation projects, and other land-management applications.
Its ability to establish relatively quickly can make it useful where rapid tree growth and biomass production are desirable. However, as with any tropical timber, sourcing should consider local forestry practices, habitat conditions, and geographic origin.
Scientific identification is particularly useful because common names associated with Albizia species vary substantially between countries and commercial markets.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Red Siris – A closely related Asian Albizia that generally produces darker reddish-brown wood, making it an excellent direct comparison with the lighter coloration of White Siris.
Moluccan Albizia – A very fast-growing Albizia producing lightweight, pale wood and widely cultivated throughout tropical regions.
Indian Rosewood – A considerably darker and typically denser South Asian hardwood valued for high-end furniture, cabinetry, turning, and musical instruments.
Related Guides
Understanding Interlocked vs. Straight Grain – Explore how grain orientation influences appearance, machining characteristics, strength, and finished surface quality.
Albizia Species Guide
Explore the Albizia genus and compare White Siris with other Albizia species, including differences in wood color, density, grain, geographic distribution, and common uses.
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Compare furniture woods based on workability, stability, strength, appearance, and long-term performance.
Understanding Wood Shrinkage Values Explained – Learn how radial, tangential, and volumetric shrinkage influence dimensional stability during drying and use.
Drying & Acclimating Exotic Woods – Explore how controlled drying and proper acclimation can reduce checking, distortion, and moisture-related problems.
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 Siris is particularly useful in a documented collection when paired with Red Siris. Together, the two specimens demonstrate differences in coloration, density, and appearance among Asian Albizia timbers.
A broader Albizia comparison can include White Siris, Red Siris, and Moluccan Albizia, providing an educational representation of the substantial variation found within this group of fast-growing tropical trees.
Because common names vary geographically, collector specimens should retain the scientific name Albizia procera, geographic origin, and acquisition information whenever available.
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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:
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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