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If you want beautiful wood furniture without fueling deforestation or illegal logging, focus on two things: species risk and proof of sourcing. Species risk is about what wood it is (e.g., rosewood, ebony). Proof of sourcing is about how it was harvested and traded (e.g., FSC-certified, legal under Lacey Act/EU rules). This guide gives you a simple, practical checklist—plus safer alternatives and hardness numbers—so you can choose confidently.3

Quick take: Avoid high-risk tropical “luxury” timbers (many rosewoods, ebonies, afrormosia, some merbau) unless you have strong, verifiable documentation (e.g., FSC, legal import declarations). Prefer regionally abundant hardwoods like white oak, maple, ash, or walnut with certified or well-documented supply chains.2

How risky is the global wood trade right now?

Interpol-linked estimates suggest illegal logging accounts for roughly 15–30% of global timber production, and far higher shares in some tropical countries.3 For buyers in the U.S., the Lacey Act (2008) prohibits trade in illegally sourced timber—penalties can apply even if you didn’t know the wood was illegal.45 In the EU, the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) replaces the old EUTR and phases in tighter due-diligence obligations for wood and wood-based products (including furniture).6

Red flags you can spot quickly

  • Vague species names like “exotic hardwood,” “rosewood-style,” or “ebony color.” Ask for the scientific name (e.g., Dalbergia nigra, Pericopsis elata). Many risky timbers are controlled by CITES.12
  • Countries under sanctions or trade controls for timber (e.g., Burmese/Myanmar teak supply chains have sanctions/heightened due-diligence risks).7
  • No proof of legality: Invoices without species/country of harvest, and no certification (FSC) or import declaration trail.456
Ask this, every time: “What’s the scientific name of the wood? Is it FSC-certified (or otherwise documented as legally harvested)? Can you show the import documentation or chain-of-custody?”7

High-risk species you should approach with caution

These are common in furniture and interiors; many face CITES trade controls and/or IUCN Red List concerns. If you proceed, demand robust proof of legality and sustainability.

Common name → Scientific name Why high-risk? Typical uses Approx. hardness (Janka, lbf) Lower-risk alternatives (with notes)
Brazilian rosewood → Dalbergia nigra Appendix I (CITES) – essentially no commercial trade in new timber; historic stocks only.2 High-end furniture, musical instruments ~2,700–2,800 (varies by source).20 FSC white oak (1,350), hard maple (1,450), black walnut (1,010) — durable, widely available, easier to verify.131415
“Rosewoods” (many) → Dalbergia spp. Most species listed in CITES Appendix II (permits required; controls to stop over-exploitation).2 Furniture, veneer, decor Varies (1,200–2,600+).20 FSC white oak or ash for similar weight/strength; walnut for dark tone; stains/finishes can match appearance.1316
Ebony → Diospyros spp. Madagascar ebonies (and Malagasy rosewoods) under CITES Appendix II; several species show IUCN vulnerability.1011 Inlays, handles, accents, musical parts Often very hard/dense; varies by species. Black-stained maple/ash; walnut with dark oil/wax finish. Reserve true ebony for certified, traceable pieces only.111416
Afrormosia → Pericopsis elata CITES Appendix II; IUCN Endangered.8 Furniture, decking, joinery ~1,560 (typical references); varies by source. FSC white oak (similar color options, great durability) or hard maple for hard-wearing surfaces.1314
Wenge → Millettia laurentii IUCN Endangered; supply constraints and over-exploitation concerns.9 Furniture, veneer, flooring ~1,900 (varies by source). Thermally-modified ash or oak for a dark look; walnut with darker finish for tone match.131415
Merbau → Intsia bijuga IUCN listings as Vulnerable/near-threatened in assessments; historic concerns over illegal trade.1819 Outdoor furniture, decking ~1,900–2,000 (varies by source). Thermally-modified ash, FSC teak from verified plantations, or white oak with exterior-rated finishes.136
Myanmar Teak (Burmese) → Tectona grandis (from Myanmar) Sanctions and sanctions-evasion risks; supply chain red-flag territory (not the same as certified plantation teak from other countries).7 Boats, outdoor furniture, premium joinery ~2,300 (typical references). Only buy verified plantation-sourced FSC teak (outside Myanmar) or substitute FSC white oak for outdoor use (with maintenance).713

Your 5-step buying checklist

  1. Get the scientific name. Don’t settle for “exotic hardwood.” Check if it’s CITES-listed; Appendix I means essentially no commercial trade in new timber; Appendix II means permits and stricter controls.12
  2. Ask for proof of legality. U.S. sellers should be able to show a Lacey Act import declaration trail; EU sellers should be preparing for EUDR due diligence (geolocation, deforestation-free claims).456
  3. Prefer certification. FSC is the most widely recognized system for responsible forest management and chain of custody.12
  4. Check origin risks. For teak, clarify country of harvest; Myanmar routes are high-risk due to sanctions/evasion advisories.7
  5. Match performance with safer species. Use hardness/durability to pick a lower-risk substitute: white oak (1,350 lbf), hard maple (1,450 lbf), white ash (1,320 lbf), black walnut (1,010 lbf).13141517
Short explainer: If you’re new to certification, this 2-minute FSC video is a solid start: “How does the FSC certification system work?”.21

Finishes and look-alikes (practical notes)

  • Dark look without ebony/wenge: Black walnut finished with oil/wax, or ash/oak with dark stain + clear topcoat. (Request finish samples before ordering.)15
  • Rosewood-style figure: Quartered white oak with a warm oil can deliver pronounced ray fleck and depth; hard maple can accept a wide color range with pigments/dyes.1314
  • Outdoor durability without tropicals: FSC white oak or thermally-modified ash with diligent maintenance; avoid standing water, re-oil annually.1316

What each label or law actually means

CITES controls international trade in listed species (permits, documentation). For timber, many Dalbergia (rosewoods) and Guibourtia (bubinga) are Appendix II; Dalbergia nigra (Brazilian rosewood) is Appendix I.12

Lacey Act (U.S.) makes it unlawful to trade in illegally sourced plants/wood; penalties can apply even if you unknowingly buy illegal timber.45

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires due diligence (traceability, geolocation, deforestation-free) and repeals the old EUTR according to phased timelines.6

FSC certification is a third-party system that verifies responsible forest management and chain of custody so you can follow material from forest to finished product.12

Good compromise: If you love a high-risk species for small accents (e.g., an inlay), ask for documented reclaimed stock or FSC-certified alternatives with a matching finish. Keep volumes tiny and provenance strong.12

FAQ

1) Is all “rosewood” off-limits?

No. But many Dalbergia species are controlled by CITES (Appendix II) and Dalbergia nigra is Appendix I. If you buy rosewood, insist on paperwork (CITES permits, chain-of-custody) or choose a certified alternative.2

2) What about ebony?

Madagascar ebonies are CITES Appendix II and several ebony species show IUCN vulnerability. For most buyers, a dark-stained ash/oak or walnut is the safer choice unless the seller provides excellent documentation.1011

3) Is plantation teak okay?

Often yes—when it’s from verified plantations with robust chain-of-custody (e.g., FSC). Teak from Myanmar carries sanctions/evasion risks; avoid unless you have expert legal and supply-chain review.712

4) Which common low-risk hardwoods perform well for furniture?

White oak (Janka ~1,350), hard maple (~1,450), white ash (~1,320), black walnut (~1,010) cover most indoor needs with strong supply chains and finishes that can hit light-to-dark tones.13141517

5) I’m in the U.S.—what docs should a seller have?

Ask for species (scientific name), country of harvest, and—if imported—the Lacey Act declaration trail. For very high-risk species, ask to see CITES permits/certificates.451

6) I’m in the EU—what changes under EUDR?

Companies must prove products are deforestation-free and legal, with geolocation of plots and risk assessments. It replaces the older EUTR on phased timelines.6

7) Are Janka hardness numbers the only durability metric?

No. They’re a good proxy for dent/scratch resistance but not the whole story. Grain, finish system, and design matter. Still, Janka helps match alternatives to high-risk species.16

8) Can stains/finishes really mimic exotic colors?

Yes—especially on maple/ash/oak. Ask for finish samples. You can approximate ebony/wenge darkness or rosewood warmth without the sourcing risk.14

9) What if a small maker says they’re using “old stock” of a risky species?

Request provenance (purchase dates, invoices) and ensure any required CITES paperwork exists for cross-border sales. Without records, skip it.12

10) Is FSC the only sign of responsibility?

FSC is the most widely recognized and consumer-facing system. Other documentation may help, but FSC chain of custody is a practical, auditable standard for buyers.12

11) Why are “luxury” timbers riskier?

High prices incentivize illegal logging and laundering. Interpol-linked analyses estimate illegal logging drives a significant share of global trade, especially in tropical regions.3

12) What’s a simple default if I don’t want to research each species?

Choose FSC-certified white oak, hard maple, ash, or walnut from reputable sellers—and ask for finish samples to match your color goals.12131415

Citations

  1. CITES – Appendices I/II/III (Feb 23, 2023).
  2. CITES Timber Guide – Dalbergia & Guibourtia listings.
  3. WWF summary citing Interpol: illegal logging 15–30% of global timber.
  4. USDA APHIS – Lacey Act FAQs (penalties & requirements).
  5. USDA APHIS – Lacey Act overview (PDF).
  6. European Commission – EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
  7. U.S. Treasury/OFAC – Burma (Myanmar) timber sanctions advisory (2024).
  8. IUCN – Pericopsis elata (afrormosia) status & CITES note.
  9. CABI – Millettia laurentii (wenge) summary & IUCN status.
  10. CITES – Malagasy Diospyros (ebony) Appendix II note.
  11. IUCN (2019) – Diospyros crassiflora (West African ebony) assessment.
  12. FSC US – What certification ensures (FM & Chain-of-Custody).
  13. The Wood Database – White Oak (Janka ~1,350).
  14. The Wood Database – Hard Maple (Janka ~1,450).
  15. The Wood Database – Black Walnut (Janka ~1,010).
  16. The Wood Database – Janka Hardness explainer.
  17. The Wood Database – White Ash (Janka ~1,320).
  18. CITES info – Review of trade in merbau (Intsia spp.) & historical IUCN.
  19. The Wood Database – Merbau (IUCN notes).
  20. PreciseBits – Relative Janka hardness table for various rosewoods.
  21. YouTube – “How does the FSC certification system work?”.
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