Yellow Lauan
Scientific name: Shorea acuminatissima
Overview
Yellow Lauan is a lightweight tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia associated with the broader Lauan trade group commonly exported from the Philippines and surrounding regions. The wood is widely used in plywood, veneer, interior construction, and light woodworking applications due to its moderate weight, workability, and warm yellow-brown coloration. Like many Lauan woods, Yellow Lauan is commercially important in international timber and panel markets.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Yellow Lauan
- Scientific Name: Shorea acuminatissima
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 32 lbs/ft³ (515 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 590 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow brown to golden brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium and fairly uniform
Identification Characteristics
Yellow Lauan is recognized by its warmer golden or yellow-brown coloration compared to White Lauan. The wood generally displays a uniform appearance with subtle grain patterning and occasional ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces.
Key identification traits include:
- Yellow brown to golden brown coloration
- Lightweight to medium lightweight structure
- Straight to mildly interlocked grain
- Medium uniform texture
- Subtle ribbon figure on quartersawn boards
Working Properties
Yellow Lauan is generally easy to machine and process using standard woodworking tools. Its relatively soft structure and stable behavior make it common in panel products and interior woodworking applications.
- Easy to cut and sand
- Good gluing and finishing properties
- Frequently used for veneer and plywood
- Moderate dimensional stability
- Not highly resistant to decay or exterior exposure
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust collection and respiratory protection during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Yellow Lauan is widely used in commercial woodworking and construction applications throughout Southeast Asia and export markets.
- Plywood
- Veneer
- Interior paneling
- Furniture components
- Cabinetry
- Doors
- Millwork
- Light utility construction
Sustainability & Notes
Like many Shorea trade woods, Yellow Lauan may represent multiple related species harvested throughout Southeast Asia. Sustainable sourcing and responsible forestry practices are important due to pressure on tropical hardwood forests in the region.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
White Lauan – Typically paler and slightly softer in appearance than Yellow Lauan.
Red Lauan – Usually darker in coloration with somewhat richer reddish tones.
Yellow Meranti – A somewhat heavier Shorea trade wood with improved durability and broader structural applications.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern – Explains how grain structure and figure help identify tropical hardwood species.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide) – Covers how density and hardness affect woodworking performance and durability.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained – Explains how tropical hardwoods react to humidity and environmental conditions.
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
Yellow Lauan is valued more as a representative Southeast Asian commercial hardwood than as a rare collector species. Samples are commonly included in educational collections focused on plywood, veneer, and tropical trade woods.
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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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
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