How precarious is the supply of Exotic Wood for the Future?

Balanced Rock in Arches National Park--Utah, USA 
photo by James Griffin 

This is a big question that everyone who uses exotic wood is now facing.  Many woods are becoming more difficult to get due to new environmental or governmental regulations.   Some of the most seriously affected are those on the right side of this page, but more are soon going to become harder to get, more expensive and even unavailable in the coming years.  Likely woods are Cocobolo, high quality Amboyna burl, African blackwood, really black ebony, and many others. 

Why is this happening?  The answer is complicated, but it has to do with a variety of factors:

Declining populations of some trees, leading to environmentally based restrictions on cutting (such as Brazilian rosewood since 1991) 

Some governments wish to restrict trade to increase profits, or to force those cutting the wood to make value added products .  This might be the cause of the sudden shortage and rise in price for Bolivian Rosewood.

Increased competition: China and other up and coming economies have a tremendous appetite for exotic woods and with our falling dollar the USA is at a disadvantage.  Often whole lots of wood are bought (such as high quality quilted sapele) and are sent wholesale to China with none left for the USA or other countries.

What is being done to respond to the problem?  Various groups are planting trees such as african blackwood or others.  Also the wood industry keeps seeking out new woods that will help spread the environmental impact around, rather than just focusing on a few woods.

In short, the exotic wood industry and buyers are going to get used to rapid changes and some price rises over time.  If you need a wood for your well-being or occupation, we suggest you buy as much as you can afford now.  (This is what most violin  bow makers did with pernambuco).   There is a strong likelihood that exotic wood will continue to go up in price faster than inflation and that many types of wood will become impossible to get.   Some of our customers buy unusual woods as an investment, which is kind of what we do as well!
 
 

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