Rosids:Fabaceae:Mimosoids: Acacias(and friends) bean trees that bite back

Hickory Wattle, Forest Mangrove

Acacia mangium

Height: 80-100ft

Range: Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea

Fast growing and strong, it's a common plantation tree. If you've been to TJ Maxx/IKEA- you've seen it (like the HomeGoods acacia cheese board used in the background of these pictures) The Hickory Wattle can grow in nutrient poor soils, fix nitrogen into that soil, and provide nutrients and s

Honey Mesquite, Haas

Prosopis glandulosa

Height: 30-50ft

Range: Southwest US and Mexico

Drought tolerant, invasive, possessing very large thorns, but highly chatoyant- this shrub is a mean girl of the plant world. It is a keystone species to the Sonoran Desert ecoregion, providing food and shelter for many animals. It's also a historically important food and material source to the Indigenous people of

Patagonian Rosewood, Curupay, Cebil, Willka

Anadenanthera colubrina

Height: 30-60ft

Range: South America and Caribbean

Not a true rosewood, but still a gorgeous wood. The color contrast of the striping is reminiscent of macassar ebony (but generally at a relatively lower cost). The main stem/trunk of the tree starts off with prickles similar to kapok trees, but eventually they develop into scuted bark

Mayan Walnut, Caribbean Walnut, Tzalam, Sabicu

Lysiloma bahamense

Height: 40-60ft

Range: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean

Not a walnut, the wood has similar working properties and color to walnut. But it doesn't need to be true walnut to be a very nice wood. Some striping figure is present but otherwise is has a pleasant caramel color. 

Hawaiian Koa

Acacia koa

Height: 50-80ft

Range: Hawaiian Island chain

One of the most common trees in Hawaii and commonly grown in plantations. Koa has one of the most fantastic rich brown heartwoods with contrasting striping. It is commonly used for stringed instruments (like T Swifts guitar) because of it's tonal properties (basically the wood is dense such that it transmits vibrations evenly). 

Texas Ebony, Ebano, False Acacia

Ebenopsis ebano

Height: 20-40ft

Range: Texas and Mexico

Not a true ebony but possessing similar coloration and working properties. It's unique and the wood is hard to find even in its native range. One of my favorite woods to work with since it cuts smooth and has amazing figure. Pieces that have sapwood/heartwood bifurcation are some of the most beautiful dice in my o