Bloodwood, scientifically known as Brosimum rubescens, has attracted people’s attention for its unique, vivid red color and extreme hardness. Its name comes from its rich, deep red to reddish-brown color.
Native to tropical South America, bloodwood trees can reach impressive heights of 80–150 feet. These deciduous trees shed their leaves each autumn.
Considered a premium exotic hardwood, bloodwood is widely used for furniture, flooring, and carving. It can be used for both outdoor and indoor purposes.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Brosimum rubescens |
| Tree size | 20–40 m tall, with a trunk diameter of 50–70 cm |
| Janka hardness | 2,900 lbf (12,900 N) |
| Weight | Elastic modulus: 3,013,000 lbf |
| Elastic modulus | 3,013,000 lbf/in² (20.78 GPa) |
| Crushing strength | 14,310 lbf/in² (98.7 MPa) |
| Shrinkage | Radial: 4.6%; tangential: 7.0%; volumetric: 11.7%; T/R ratio: 1.5 |
Characteristics of Bloodwood
Color and Appearance
Most people are familiar with the color of bloodwood. It is known for its unique and attractive vivid red color.
Bloodwood’s heartwood—the inner, older part of the tree—is usually a vibrant, blood-red color. The sapwood—the outer, younger part of the tree—is usually lighter than the heartwood, ranging from pale pink to yellow or cream. The heartwood and sapwood can be easily distinguished.
Does bloodwood also change color?
Like most woods, bloodwood darkens over time when exposed to light. This process of natural color change is called oxidation.
Bloodwood generally has a straight to slightly interlocked grain pattern. The grain is fine and uniform, giving the wood a smooth texture. The wood has a natural luster that can be further enhanced with a finish.
Rot Resistance
When we choose wood for projects involving outdoor use or soil contact, our biggest questions are: Is the wood resistant to rot or insects? How long will it last outdoors?
Bloodwood can be a good choice for such projects because it is known for its durability and natural resistance to rot and insects. It is an extremely dense and hard hardwood, which makes it highly resistant to wear and damage.
Water Resistance
As mentioned above, bloodwood has a very high density and closed pores, so it absorbs very little moisture. This makes the wood dimensionally stable and highly resistant to warping and shrinkage.
However, experienced woodworkers recommend preparing bloodwood for outdoor weather if you use it for outdoor furniture. You should seal the wood properly to preserve its beauty for a long time.
What Is Bloodwood Used For?
Bloodwood Flooring
The two main reasons to choose bloodwood for flooring are its rich appearance and durability. Its deep, natural reddish-brown color adds warmth and character to any space. It is extremely durable and highly resistant to scratches, dents, and damage, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Bloodwood Furniture
Bloodwood is an excellent choice for making high-quality furniture. Its durability ensures that furniture made from it lasts a long time, even with regular use, and requires less care than furniture made from many other hardwoods.
Bloodwood for Knife and Tool Handles
Bloodwood is a suitable choice for handles because it is very durable and can withstand strong impacts. Its fine texture provides a comfortable grip, allowing for precise handling of knives and tools.
Bloodwood for Carvings and Trim
Bloodwood generally has a fine and uniform grain pattern, providing a smooth surface for carving intricate designs. Its natural deep red color is visually striking and adds a touch of richness to any carving or trim.
The Pros and Cons of Bloodwood
Pros
- Appearance: Of all the qualities of bloodwood, I am most attracted to its deep red color. Its vibrant color makes it suitable for decorative items and adds a touch of beauty to any woodworking project.
- Durability and stability: Bloodwood is valued for its durability and stability. Its density and hardness make it highly resistant to wear and tear, ensuring longevity in a variety of applications.
- Rot and moisture resistance: Another major advantage of bloodwood is its natural resistance to rot and moisture. It can therefore be used for indoor furniture even without treatment.
- Versatility: Bloodwood is a versatile wood that can be used for everything from home furniture and decorative objects to flooring and tool handles.
Cons
- Difficult to work with: Bloodwood is extremely dense and heavy, making it difficult to work with.
- Color does not last: The most disappointing thing about bloodwood is oxidation. It loses its beautiful natural color and darkens over time.
- High cost: Bloodwood’s exotic nature and limited availability are the main reasons for its high cost. For budget-conscious projects, consider an alternative to bloodwood.
Is Bloodwood Easy to Work With?
Bloodwood is not easy to work with, especially with hand tools, due to its extreme density and hardness. However, its high density is also an advantage because it contributes to durability.
Its density dulls cutter blades very quickly and can sometimes cause burn marks on the wood’s surface. Experts believe that bloodwood is not a good choice for beginners because it can break easily while being worked.
What Precautions Should Be Taken While Working With Bloodwood?
When working with very hard and dense woods like bloodwood, it is essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the quality of your work. Here are some important points to follow:
- Wear proper safety gear.
- Use sharp blades and bits.
- Work slowly and steadily.
- Avoid splinters and tear-out.
What Is the Hardness of Bloodwood?
Bloodwood has a Janka hardness of 2,900 lbf (12,900 N), which is much higher than that of many other hardwoods. For example, bloodwood is about twice as hard as maple, which has a hardness of 1,450 lbf (6,450 N), and about three times as hard as walnut, which has a hardness of 1,010 lbf (4,490 N).
Here are the Janka hardness values of some popular hardwoods to give you a better idea of how hard bloodwood is.
| Wood species | Janka hardness |
|---|---|
| Shagbark hickory | 1,880 lbf (8,360 N) |
| Bubinga | 2,410 lbf (10,720 N) |
| Brazilian rosewood | 2,790 lbf (12,410 N) |
| Bloodwood | 2,900 lbf (12,900 N) |
| Gaboon ebony | 3,080 lbf (13,700 N) |
| Ipe | 3,510 lbf (15,620 N) |
| African blackwood | 3,670 lbf (16,320 N) |
Is Bloodwood Toxic?
No major problems have been observed while working with bloodwood. However, its dust can affect woodworkers, causing symptoms such as thirst and salivation. Common problems, such as skin and eye irritation, may also occur. Once finished, it is completely safe.
However, any wood dust can irritate people with asthma, so be careful while working with wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Bloodwood Suitable for Outdoor Projects?
Yes, bloodwood’s natural resistance to decay and insects makes it an excellent choice for outdoor applications, such as decking and outdoor furniture.
Q2: Can Bloodwood Be Stained or Painted?
The natural color of bloodwood is so vibrant that staining is often unnecessary. That is why many people do not want to stain it. However, it can be stained or painted if desired, although many woodworkers prefer to showcase its natural beauty.
Q3: What Are the Alternatives to Bloodwood?
Redheart wood is close in appearance to bloodwood. Its color ranges from bright pink to pinkish-red or red. However, redheart is softer than bloodwood.
Padauk can be another alternative to bloodwood. Padauk wood, from the genus Pterocarpus, is known for its vibrant red-orange to deep red color. It darkens with age and exposure to light. Padauk is a hard and dense wood; although it may not be as hard as bloodwood, it still offers good durability and resistance to wear.