Tulipwood (Brazilian)

Overview

Brazilian tulipwood (Dalbergia decipularis) is a true rosewood streaked with yellow, red, orange and pink, and it is small, scarce and costly. The tree is shrub-sized, so boards are short and narrow. It is not American tulipwood (tulip poplar).

Pros

• Vividly variegated colour in yellows, reds, oranges and pinks.
• Janka 2,500 lbf and about 970 kg/m3.
• Turns very well and takes a high polish.
• Resistant to insect attack.
• Good for marquetry and small decorative work.

Cons

• In CITES Appendix II under the genus-wide Dalbergia listing, which also covers finished products.
• Likely very expensive and seldom available as boards; mostly turning stock.
• Low decay resistance.
• Difficult to work and to glue because of density and oils.
• Reported (as other Dalbergia) as a sensitizer with eye, skin and respiratory irritation.

Variants and subspecies

• Dalbergia decipularis: Brazilian tulipwood.
• Not American tulipwood: tulip poplar or yellow poplar, a common soft hardwood (Yellow poplar).
• Substitutes: for vivid colour without the Dalbergia listing, Yellowheart (yellow) or Bloodwood (satine) (red).

Working and finishing

Pieces are small, so work is mostly turning and inlay. Sharp tools and light cuts. Wipe glue surfaces with solvent first and test, because the oil resists glue. Polish to a high shine with wax or oil. Wear a respirator.

Staining and finishing colour

Never stain. Clear finishes preserve the colour variation, which can fade or mellow with light.

Sustainability and handling

CITES: Dalbergia spp. (other than D. nigra) have been in CITES Appendix II since 2 January 2017, covering all parts and derivatives except leaves, flowers, pollen, fruits, seeds and finished musical instruments, accessories and parts; non-commercial finished items under 10 kg per shipment are exempt (APHIS CITES Timber Manual; checked 2026-09-30). Tulipwood is covered. IUCN: not evaluated, per Wood Database, which is not the same as secure. The tree occupies a narrow area of Brazil. FSC availability is not verified here. The US Lacey Act makes it unlawful to trade wood taken or exported in breach of the source country's laws (fws.gov/law/lacey-act), so buy from dealers who can name the country and species. If a piece will be exported to or sold in the EU, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (the EUDR) requires due-diligence evidence that wood products are deforestation-free and legally produced; check its current application date with your buyer.

Ethical call: a poor choice for anything beyond tiny, documented pieces; use Yellowheart or Bloodwood (satine) for colour. Health: reported as a sensitizer (rosewoods in Dalbergia). The US National Cancer Institute reports strong, consistent associations between wood-dust exposure and cancers of the nasal cavity and sinuses, so use extraction and a respirator when sanding.

Popular projects

Marquetry and inlay, veneer, pens and small turned items, percussion instruments and jewellery boxes.

Buying notes

Sold as small blanks and short pieces at specialist dealers; one lists small boards from about $100 to $380 per board foot (September 2026). Ask for species and CITES paperwork.