It is an extremely hard tropical hardwood (Terminalia elliptica) originating from southern Asia, having a range of light to dark brown color heartwood and dark streaks along with a Janka hardness of 2,340 lbf. Luthiers use it as an economical substitute for rosewood in making acoustic guitars' back and sides and fingerboards whereas turners and woodworkers use it in making turning blanks and smaller wood items.
As a wood enthusiast looking for exotic woods, Indian Laurel will be found increasingly on tonewoods' lists every year. The first question that comes up is what is Indian Laurel wood, and whether or not it is worth building with? This guide will answer your questions regarding its characteristics and best uses.
What Is Indian Laurel Wood?
Indian Laurel wood comes from the tree known as Terminalia elliptica (syn. T. tomentosa), which grows in southern Asia, mostly in India and Myanmar. The name may lead one to think it is a true laurel, but it really is not, so it should be considered a mere commercial designation. The height of the mature tree ranges from 65 to 100 ft and it can have a trunk of up to 3 ft in diameter at the base, which allows full-sized guitar sets and big boards to be manufactured.
What Are the Properties of Indian Laurel Wood?
|
Property |
Indian Laurel |
|---|---|
|
Botanical name |
Terminalia elliptica (syn. T. tomentosa) |
|
Average dried weight |
54 lbs/ft³ (855 kg/m³) |
|
Janka hardness |
2,340 lbf |
|
Color |
Light to dark brown with dark, nearly black streaks; pale pinkish sapwood |
|
Grain and texture |
Straight to slightly interlocked or irregular; medium to coarse, uniform |
|
Durability |
Moderately durable; poor insect resistance |
|
Workability |
Generally easy; turns and finishes well |
|
Shrinkage (T/R ratio) |
1.5 |
In plain terms, Indian Laurel is hard, dense but easily workable wood. Tearing of irregularly shaped parts might happen, thus the sharpness of the tools should be kept in mind, and the cuts done in light passes. Skin irritation may occur during work, so using a protective mask is recommended.
What Is Indian Laurel Wood Used For?
- Acoustic Guitar Sets: back and sides for both classical and dreadnought builds.
- Fingerboards: a rosewood-style look at a friendlier price.
- Turning Blanks and Bowl blanks: it turns and finishes well, making it a practical choice among turning woods.
- Furniture, cabinetry, and lumber: all listed traditional uses, along with veneer.
- Cutting boards: Not the go-to wood because of its moderate to coarse texture which is coarser than the preferred finer texture of wood used for cutting boards.
Why Are Luthiers Choosing Indian Laurel Wood?
There are three common explanations. Firstly, the price - it gives a similar color and grain structure to East Indian Rosewood at a cheaper price. Secondly, regulations - all Dalbergia rosewoods have been included in the CITES Appendix II since 2017, and Indian Laurel is not regulated by the CITES Appendices and IUCN Red List. Thirdly, stability - its low shrinkage ratio makes Indian Laurel retain its shape after drying.
How Does Indian Laurel Compare With East Indian Rosewood?
|
Feature |
Indian Laurel |
East Indian Rosewood |
|---|---|---|
|
Botanical name |
Terminalia elliptica |
Dalbergia latifolia |
|
Janka hardness |
2,340 lbf |
2,440 lbf |
|
Dried weight |
855 kg/m³ |
830 kg/m³ |
|
Shrinkage (T/R ratio) |
1.5 |
2.2 |
|
CITES status |
Not listed |
Appendix II (Dalbergia) |
|
Typical cost |
Moderate |
Higher |
Wondering how laurel stack up against rosewood in more depth? Read our guide on Indian Laurel vs. rosewood.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Buying Indian Laurel?
- Trusting the word "laurel" alone. Look out for Terminalia elliptica in the specifications, since the California Laurel (Umbellularia californica) is not the same.
- Expecting identical sets. Color and streaking vary, so choose from the actual product photos.
- Skipping acclimation. Always allow air-dried wood to equalize conditions in your shop before any processing, especially when utilizing gluing or thin parts.
Where Can You Buy Indian Laurel Wood?
Exotic Wood Zone, a Missouri-based supplier of tonewoods, exotic hardwoods, and lumber, carries Indian Laurel Guitar Sets in classical and dreadnought sizes, and Indian Laurel Wood Turning Blanks up to 36 inches long. Round out a build with Fingerboards, Bridge Blanks, Headplates, and figured Drop Tops for electric guitars.
FAQs
-
What is another name for Indian Laurel?
Indian Laurel may also be referred to as conversion: Saj (or Saaj) and also laurel. It is sometimes dubbed “crocodile bark” due to its bark pattern. Previously it was known botanically as Terminalia tomentosa which today is put to rest and mostly known as Terminalia elliptica. Other names that it is known by regionally are marutham (Tamil), matti (Kannada), ain (Marathi), and taukkyan (Myanmar). -
Is Indian Laurel wood good for guitars?
Yes. The Indian Laurel wood is employed in lutherie construction for the back and sides, and fingerboard as an inexpensive substitute for rosewood. Tone is subjective, and thus always test tap tone when possible. -
Is Indian Laurel good for woodturning?
Yes. It turns well and ends well; however, interlocked grains might cause tearout. So, ensure you use sharp tools. -
Is Indian Laurel wood endangered?
It is not included into CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List according to the Wood Database. However, listings can be changed, so make sure about the current status before export. -
How long does it take for Indian Laurel to grow?
It is an average-growth deciduous tree that grows to a height of about 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall with a trunk measuring about 1 m in diameter. I couldn't find a reliable "years to harvest" figure. Trees large enough for sawn lumber take decades, and one forestry explainer cites 80–100 year rotations, but that is a secondary source, so treat it as a rough guide.
Is Indian Laurel Wood Right for Your Next Build?
Indian Laurel (Terminalia elliptica) is a strong workable hardwood originating from tropical regions, and its coloring and figure are comparable to East Indian Rosewood but more affordable. As a result, this wood is an excellent choice for use by makers of acoustic guitars in making the back and sides, as well as fingerboards. In case of woodturning, Indian Laurel is reliable and cuts easily provided that your tools are sharp enough and tear-outs are avoided when working with interlocked grains. Indian Laurel has a Janka hardness of 2,340 lbf, is of moderate durability and works best for guitar sets, fingerboards, turned pieces and furniture parts. It is not usually used for cutting boards, and you should always check its botanical name as Terminalia elliptica to be sure about the species, because "laurel" by itself may indicate a different wood.
Ready to build? Browse Indian Laurel Guitar Sets and Indian Laurel Wood Turning Blanks at Exotic Wood Zone, or explore our Fingerboards, Bridge Blanks, and Headplates to complete your project. Have a question about matching wood to your build? Contact our team and we will help you choose the right piece.