Tamarind Wood: What Makes It a Perfect Choice For Your Table?

Many people know Tamarind from its fruit which can be processed into various kinds of cuisine. However, did you know that Tamarind contains wood, which is famous for making tables?

Tamarind wood belongs to the hardwood family and is popular as wooden table material due to its hardness and resistance to decay. Customers often choose Tamarind timber for its outstanding look and durability, allowing them to keep their fine wooden tables longer.

You may benefit from reading this article if you want to use this wood for your home furnishings. We’ll explain everything about Tamarind wood, from its definition and sources to how the wood transformed into any type of wooden table.

What is Tamarind Wood?

For starters, Tamarind wood belongs to the hardwood family. Also known as Assam wood, this type of wood is favourable to turn into a wood-based working desk, dining table, coffee table, and many others.

Origin

Tamarind wood comes from the Tamarind tree with the botanical name of Tamarindus indica, natively originating from tropical Africa. The tree grows wildly in diverse places like Cameroon, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Britannica says that a Tamarind tree can grow up to 24 metres tall. It usually has leaves that are each 2 cm long. The tree also has small groups of yellow flowers. On the other hand, the fruit is a plump legume that is 7.5 to 24 cm long and has flat seeds embedded in a soft, brownish pulp.

Additionally, the Tamarind tree, as a tropical plant, is sensitive to frost. That means the tree’s natural environment needs to be humid, with temperatures high enough to support the growth, and the wood needs to be restored in similar conditions to prevent it from frosting.

Although Tamarind wood is the result of the Tamarind tree that grows mainly in Africa, more and more people outside the continent can use this material as furniture because of international trade. The trade subsequently increases Tamarind timber popularity in South Asia, Oceania, Australia, Southeast Asia, and China.

Material and properties

Two parts of Tamarind wood can be used for making wooden tables: heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood is the central part of the wood that is hard and red in colour. Sapwood, on the other hand, is the softer yellow-coloured outer layer of the wood.

Aside from their density, heartwood and sapwood also have different textures. Heartwood typically has mineral deposits present, which are comparable to gum. Sapwood, conversely, has porous and diffuse end grain, making medium to large pores appear.

Due to its density and texture, Tamarind heartwood is better suited for making highly durable wooden items. The characteristics make heartwood more resistant to wreckage or fungal and insect attack when compared to sapwood.

However, Tamarind heartwood is rare, and its demand is high. As a result, the price of heartwood skyrocketed, making Tamarind sapwood more common to use.

Historical Use

Tamarind wood is derived from the Tamarind tree, initially known for its sweet fruit with a tangy pulp used in foods, beverages, and traditional medicines worldwide. The fruit is also prevalent in cuisines in India, Central America, and Mexico.

Aside from that, people also cultivate Tamarind for timber work. Tamarind timber typically consists of dark red heartwood and yellowish sapwood. Each heartwood and sapwood has differing characteristics, which result in varying outcomes.

For instance, heartwood lumber is preferable for use as a highly durable item considering its density and texture. On the other hand, sapwood timber is the more common wooden item material as it’s easier to cultivate and craft than heartwood.

How to make wood slabs from Tamarind Wood?

Wood slabs are thin pieces of wood cut from the tree trunk. Making wood slabs from tamarind wood requires the presence of a tamarind log before cutting it into several slices.

A carpenter typically performs several steps when creating wood slabs from Tamarind wood. Take a look into how they turn this wood type into wood slabs, as explained below:

Finding and Selecting Tamarind Wood

The first thing a carpenter usually does before making a Tamarind wood slab for tamarind wood table is to get the Tamarind log. Tamarind log is raw wood that has just been cultivated from the Tamarind tree, so it requires cutting to be processed into slabs.

Carpenters usually get logs from legal wood suppliers. They can directly import it from the supplying country or buy it from a domestic supplier. Either way, they must ensure that the logs are in good condition.

Turning Tamarind Wood Into Wood Slab

Following the delivery of the Tamarind wood to their place, carpenters will slice the log into multiple slabs using a wood-cutting machine. Before starting the machine, they will determine the slab thickness based on the desired finish.

The wood-cutting machine will then automatically cut the log. The carpenter will then lift the sliced slabs one at a time and gather them in a single place until one large log has been fragmented into several slabs.

Transforming The Wood Slab Into Art

Now that the carpenter has Tamarind slabs stored in their studio, they can proceed to turn the slabs into tables. They will usually pick the slab that they want to use and place it on the supporting counter.

Depending on the desired final results, they may cut the slab’s edges into any curations, such as straight, fortune 8, round & round, and many other cuts. They can also leave the slab shape raw for it to conform to its original shape and achieve a natural wood aesthetic.

The next thing that a carpenter mostly does is check the slab’s condition to pinpoint cracks, holes, and other imperfections. After they notice the flaws, they will polish them to make the final result more polished and durable.

For instance, they will insert butterfly joints between cracks to prevent the gap from widening and causing damage in the long run. Aside from that, they will use wood glue to fill the holes and cracks, making the final product stronger and more durable.

After beautifying the surface of the wood slab, the carpenter will connect it to other components. For instance, they will combine the wood slab with table legs if they want to make a table. They usually use glue, a joint connector, or both to strengthen the connection.

Sanding and Smoothing The Wood Slab

The final step is to sand and smooth the finished product made from the wood slab. Sanding will remove the protruding part of the wood, protecting the user from the sharp surface and making the product comfortable to use.

On the other hand, smoothing is the process by which the carpenter sprays varnish paint on the slab surface. The varnish paint beautifies the wood and serves as a protective coating layer, preventing scratches and making the product more durable.

Tamarind Wood Products

We have previously discussed that Tamarind wood is suitable for making several types of wooden tables. Now it’s time for you to take a look at the list of Tamarind-based tables as listed below:

Working Desk

A working desk is something that everyone uses, whether in the office or at home. The base material should be sturdy if they want to keep their working desks for a long time.

Wood is a popular material option for people looking for a durable working desk. Aside from being durable, wood is customisable. They can personalise the shape and colour of the desk, adding to its uniqueness.

Dining Table

One of the most popular products is the wooden dining table. Many people prefer wooden dining tables due to the durability factor, which allows them to keep the tables for many years.

Furthermore, the wooden dining table gives the impression of being unique. Its uniqueness adds to the aesthetics of the house, creating a natural feel and making dining time with family more enjoyable.

Coffee Table

Since wood is durable, customers frequently prefer wooden coffee tables over other materials. Tamarind wood is one of the wooden coffee table materials chosen because of its resistance to decaying and insect attack.

Aside from being long-lasting, wooden coffee tables are also visually appealing. Customers can personalise and even place special orders for wooden coffee tables to ensure they get the size and shape they desire while also meeting their personal tastes.

Where to Buy Tamarind Wood Tables in Singapore?

Getting a Tamarind wood table in Singapore will require finding a reputable seller. Aside from the reliability factor, you also need to see if the seller has high-quality products that meet your expectations, such as the shape, size, colour, and many others.

Introducing Wood Capitol

Wood Capitol is a Singapore-based metal and carpentry workshop with a team with over 30 years of experience in the solid wood industry. We combine traditional handcrafted wood with sustainable and contemporary design, making each of our pieces unique that customers will treasure forever.

We value our customers’ desires the most, meaning there are no strict design rules. We will always find a way to create pieces in the sizes, colours, and shapes that they need and cherish in their lives.

Most importantly, we pledge to be environmentally responsible by crafting pieces from only legal and mature solid wood. It’s important for us to keep our tropical natural forest aside from creating unique pieces for our customers.

FAQs

Is Tamarind Wood a Good Wood?

Tamarind wood is one of the high-quality materials used for any table. This type of wood is strong, durable, and resistant to decay or insect attacks.

Is Tamarind Wood a Hardwood?

Tamarind wood belongs to the hardwood family and originated from tropical forests. The trees are usually large and can grow up to 24 metres tall.

What is Tamarind Wood Used For?

Tamarind wood is commonly used for furniture, such as tables, chairs, countertops, cupboards, bed frames, and many others.

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, we hope you understand that Tamarind wood is a perfect choice for making any kind of table. You can get it adjustable in size, shape, and colour, making it fit your personal needs and preferences.

If you have any further questions, please contact us, and we’ll gladly explain everything you need to know about Tamarind wood as the main material used to make tables. 

We’ll also warmly welcome you to our showroom. You can visit us and see the examples of Tamarind wood tables, giving you ideas regarding the designs and allowing you to build your ideal table.