Gmelina
Gmelina arborea
Gmelina is a fast-growing plantation hardwood increasingly popular as a sustainable and affordable timber source. This pale cream to light brown wood features fine grain, excellent workability, and good dimensional stability. Widely planted in tropical regions for pulp, plywood, and general-purpose lumber, Gmelina offers an eco-friendly alternative for interior construction, furniture components, and light structural applications where sustainability and cost-effectiveness are priorities.
Janka Hardness
560 lbf
Soft
Density
29 lbs/ft³
Light
Shrinkage
Low (5.9% tangential, 3.2% radial)
Very stable
Appearance
Color: Pale cream to light straw-brown heartwood. Very uniform in color. Sapwood is not distinctly different.
Grain: Straight grain with fine to medium texture. Smooth surface when finished.
Key Characteristics
- •Fast-growing plantation species
- •Light uniform coloration
- •Fine grain and smooth texture
- •Excellent workability
- •Good dimensional stability
- •Sustainable and renewable
Common Applications
Maintenance
For interior use. Not naturally durable outdoors. Requires paint, stain, or sealant for protection. Easy to maintain with standard wood care.
Advantages
- +Very affordable and sustainable
- +Extremely easy to work with
- +Good dimensional stability
- +Fast-growing renewable resource
- +Takes paint and stain well
- +Uniform appearance
Considerations
- •Very soft - dents easily
- •No natural decay resistance
- •Interior use only
- •Limited structural strength
- •Can be bland in appearance
- •Requires finishing for protection