Buddha & Other Panels

Monkey Pod - Enterolobium

Monkey Wood

A common name for Enterolobium is "Monkey wood". 
In Thailand it is farmed for the wood carving industry and is known as Chum Cha wood. 
This tree can grow up to 150 feet high, 6 feet in diameter, and has very large and low crown, up to 190 feet wide. A mature Enterolobium is ideal for shade, and its wood is used for carving, furniture, boat and house construction.

Enterolobium Wood Properties

Enterolobium heartwood is reddish-brown, coarse-textured and moderately durable, with a straight interlocking grain and an appearance somewhat similar to walnut. The wood is resistant to termites. It has high durability in water, so furniture made from this wood can be used outdoors.

Monkey wood is hard and heavy. Actually, in Asian areas where it has been used much more extensively than in its native habitat, the wood is considered easy to work. Monkey wood has been a premier craftwood used for carved and turned souvenir bowls. The Philippines and Thailand supply most of the monkey wood bowls that are available for purchase.