Professional and hobby woodworkers are always looking for new and exciting projects to try their hands at, as well as continually seeking out lesser-known wood species. One particular wood that stands out in the world of wood is called purpleheart wood. Yes, it is purple in color, a naturally beautiful color that appears in a variety of purple shades after the lumber is cut. The funny thing is that this stunning deep purple wood comes from a rather ordinary looking tree—a tree that isn’t at all purple on the outside.
Thinking about working with this type of wood? Here are five interesting facts about purpleheart exotic lumber in Houston:
- It goes by different names: The purpleheart tree is in the genus Peltogyne, which has over 20 documented species in its category. Purpleheart trees grow in the areas of Southeastern Brazil, Costa Rica and Trinidad, with most species taking root in the Amazon basin. Depending on the spoken language of an area, this tree is also known by other names, including amaranth, violet wood, saka, tananeo and morado.
- Wood boards are not always a traditional purple: We know that the purpleheart tree does not have a purple trunk; in fact, purpleheart wood is not even purple until after it is cut. The lumber actually starts out sporting more of a faded brown or dull gray color, and then darkens into a purple hue after it gets exposed to the sun and ages. With continuous UV light exposure, a purpleheart wood piece that’s reached its peak purple tint will look more like dark maroon, chocolaty-purple or near black. To prevent such a dramatic color change, seal the wood in your desired purple shade with a UV-inhibiting varnish.
- It’s pretty much unbreakable: As far as wood goes, purpleheart wood is one of the hardiest in the world. It’s sturdy and very dense, and because it’s water-resistant, it blocks rot and decay. It is also resistant to termite and insect attacks.
- The tree is sustainable: Between not knowing about the existence of purpleheart wood and assuming its color makes it a rare lumber, one might think this tree is in danger of extinction. However, aside from being a strong, durable and water- and insect-resistant wood, it is also a very sustainable wood species. What’s more is that purpleheart trees can withstand sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
- Said to possess spiritual qualities: According to some religions, purpleheart wood has spiritual qualities. Take the modern day pagan religion, for example. They believe this wood can boost creative energy and knowledge, as well as help with healing. In the home, purpleheart wood is displayed to remove negative energy, leaving all areas of the house free of things like tension, worry and anger.
If you are looking for a certain type of exotic lumber in Houston, including beautiful purpleheart wood, for your woodworking project, you’ll want to head on over to the lumberyard at Houston Hardwoods Inc. We carry a large selection of domestic, imported and exotic lumber, so there is something for everyone. Come visit us today!