Asia and Australia are renowned for producing diverse and beautiful hardwoods, which are prized around the world for their beauty, durability and versatility. Whether you’re crafting fine furniture, installing a garden deck or creating a musical instrument, it's worth considering these exotic timbers for your next project.

In this blog, we’ll answer your questions about Asian and Australian hardwoods, highlight their unique features and help you gain an understanding of why they’re so popular:

What makes Asian & Australian hardwoods so special?

What are the most popular Asian hardwood species?

Which Australian hardwood is the most popular?

What are the best hardwoods for outdoor use?

Why is sustainable sourcing Important for exotic timber?

Where can I buy high-quality exotic hardwoods?

Asian and Australian hardwoods are recognised for their vast range of colours, grains and durability. From the rich golden hues of Yellow Balau, to the deep dramatic stripes of Macassar Ebony, these types of timber bring so much character to any project.

Many hardwoods have specialised qualities, for example:

• Tonal Quality & Resonance: Perfect for musical instruments like guitars.

• Durability & Density: Ideal for outdoor furniture and decking.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Variety of grains and colours make them the best choice for veneers and high-end furniture. 

Meranti (Shorea spp.)

This durable timber is one of the UK’s most popular hardwood choices for garden decking, and is also often used for cladding the outside of buildings. There are five main varieties of Meranti; Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti, White Meranti, Yellow Meranti and Balau. These trees are commonly harvested in Southeast Asia, with a blend of pale gold and yellow, to dark red, purple and brown hues.

Yellow Balau is a popular type of Meranti in the UK, being very durable and with a unique colour range of golden-brown hues that blend beautifully in a natural environment. If left untreated, this wood will mellow to a soft, silvery-grey over the years. With a high oil content, this hardwood is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insect damage and is low maintenance.

The many types of Meranti are perfect for:

• Outdoor use, requiring minimal maintenance

• Joinery and cabinetry

• Furniture and veneers

• Excellent value - being strong and long lasting

Macassar Ebony (Diospyros Celebica)

One of the most luxurious and expensive hardwoods, Macassar Ebony is native to Southeast Asia. The name “Diospyros” has Greek origin, meaning “fruit of the gods”. It was often used by Ancient Kings for sceptres and drinking cups due to its alleged resistance to poison. 

Very similar to Macassar Ebony, but with a less defined solid stripe. The timber is hard and heavy, with a fine texture and natural lustre. 

Ebony trees grow very slowly, which is one of the main reasons that it’s such an expensive material. It has a very limited natural habitat in Southeast Asia so it’s important that this tree is sourced responsibly.

Its striking reddish-brown heartwood with bold black stripes makes Ebony a favourite for:

• Musical instruments, especially guitars

• Veneers and inlays

• High-end furniture

• Billiard cues

Black Palmira Caryota urens)

Known for its unique structure, with dark streaks on a lighter background, Black Palmira is sourced from Southeast Asia. The wood has a unique look, with very hard dark streaks and a contrasting pale background. The tree itself can grow up to 100ft tall, but remains thin at just 2ft in diameter! Unlike other hardwoods, the centre of the tree is soft and the woody material comes from its outer layer, making the timber pieces smaller but distinctive. It’s ideal for:

• Highly sought after due to its striking appearance, often used in small decorative and niche projects

• Ornamental turnings

• Handles & inlays

Sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia)

More commonly known as Indian Rosewood, Sonokeling is prized for its grain patterns, rich tones and reddish-brown and purple hues. Grown in India, China and Indonesia, this tree is sustainably planted on plantations for commercial use, due to being CITE protected. It gets its name “Rosewood” from the rose-like scent it emits when being worked with. Common uses for this hardwood include:

• Acoustic guitar backs and sides

• Fine furniture 

• Decorations

• Veneer

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)

Native to Southwest Australia, Jarrah is very important for the ecosystem, providing nests for birds, bees and marsupials both while alive and in the hollows that form as the heartwood decays. Jarrah also produces a thick, dark and tasty syrup! With its intricate grain, it’s known for its deep red tones, rich colours and durability. Jarrah is very popular among woodturners, with the most common uses in the UK being:

• Veneers

• High-quality furniture & decor

• Turned objects

• Percussion instruments and guitar inlays

For outdoor projects like decking or a pergola, durability, strength and resistance to the elements are key. Some of the best hardwood options with these features include:

• Yellow Balau: Naturally resistant to rot and repels insect damage

• Jarrah: Durable and weather resistant, ideal for furniture and structures that are exposed to the elements and unpredictable weather conditions more often.

The high demand for exotic hardwoods makes sustainability one of the top priorities for suppliers. It’s important to purchase your timber from a reputable supplier, and choosing responsibly sourced wood not only helps to protect natural forests, but also ensures the long-term availability of these beautiful materials. 

At WL West, we think sustainably sourcing timber is our responsibility;

• As members of Timber Development UK, we adhere to the mandatory Responsible Purchasing Policy, making sure our timber is legally and responsibly sourced

• This policy is audited annually and updated as things may change 

• All suppliers undergo thorough risk assessments to prevent illegal timber from entering the supply chain

At WL West, we offer a variety of exotic hardwoods, all sourced responsibly. Whether you’re looking for Yellow Balau for your garden decking, or perhaps Macassar Ebony for a bespoke musical instrument, you can shop with us with confidence.

Explore our collection online here, contact us for our expert advice on 01798 861611, or via email shop@wlwest.co.uk