Wood veneer, Amboyna (Burl)

Amboyna (Burl)

Though straight grain amboyna is a beautiful wood, it is the amboyna burl that is the most sought after. Known for its interleaving colors of red, orange, brown and yellow, amboyna burl is unmistakably one of the forest's most valued species. Before a finish is applied, this veneer typically develops a white crystal-like formation on the surface which is a result of the minerals in the wood cells being displaced by air. To remove the crystals, simply spray the veneer with denatured alcohol and wipe clean. Amboyna burl is often used on automotive dashboards and was the first burl veneer to be offered in Rolls Royce automobiles.

Common Name:		Amboyna, Narra, Andaman Redwood
Scientific Name:		Pterocarpus indicus
Family:		Leguminosae
Color:		Brown to reddish with occasional orange colors, sapwood is yellowish
Origin:		Indonesia, South East Asia
Hardness:		Primarily hard
Texture:		Medium texture with interlocked grain
Finishing:		Readily accepts stains and finishes