Rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) is classified as a light hardwood and its pulp is a pale creamy white color when first cut. After it is kiln dried to extract moisture, a process that increases its strength and makes it easier to work with, it takes on a light brown color.
For many centuries countries such as Malaysia, with its tropical climate, have been used for rubber tree plantations. The sap from rubber trees grown on these plantations is used to produce latex. Typically a rubber tree will reach the end of its economic life cycle after 25 – 30 years of latex production.
Malaysia Rubber Wood (Hevea Brasiliensis)
Until recently, once the rubberwood trees had reach the end of their capacity to produce latex the trees were replaced and the old trees were burned as fuel.
As people have become aware of the disappearance large sections of the tropical rain forest and the problems this represents, switching to the use of a more easily replenished wood, has lead to an increasing interest in the more ecologically friendly Hevea brasiliensis, also known as “Rubberwood” (the aliases are “Para wood” and “Hevea wood”).
Chosen for having some of the same basic characteristics as teakwood without the expense, Malaysia rubberwood is used in the manufacture of high-end furniture throughout Asia, Europe and North America. Since rubberwood has been found to have the strength of teak, and is as easy to work with as Birchwood, Malaysia rubberwood as high-quality sawn rubberwood timber has started being imported to the U.S.
Malaysia rubber wood is now being used to produce both industrial and domestic products, such as rubberwood high-end parquet flooring, wooden household fixtures, both furniture and furniture components, as well as plywood and various types of building component and many other things.