At Tidewater Lumber, we offer a curated selection of exotic hardwoods known for their vibrant color, striking grain patterns, and unmatched character. From the deep richness of Wenge and Ebony to the bold contrast of Zebra Wood and the vivid hues of Yellowheart, Purpleheart, and Padauk — each species brings a distinct look and feel to high-end woodworking and design. Whether you’re sourcing for custom furniture, specialty millwork, or artistic applications, our exotic woods like Bocote and Tigerwood deliver both beauty and performance.
Bocote is a striking exotic hardwood native to Mexico and Central America, known for its dramatic grain patterns featuring bold swirls, eyes, and contrasting dark lines. Its natural luster and unique appearance make it a favorite for high-end furniture, decorative veneers, musical instruments, and specialty woodwork. Despite its density, Bocote machines well and finishes beautifully.
Yellowheart, also known as Pau Amarello, is prized for its vibrant, lemon-yellow coloring and fine, uniform texture. Sourced from South America, it offers excellent workability and a naturally smooth surface that takes stain and finish evenly. Yellowheart is often used for inlays, flooring accents, cabinetry, and bold design statements in custom furniture.
Purpleheart is a dense, durable hardwood with a natural deep purple hue that darkens over time into a rich, brownish plum. Native to Central and South America, it is both strong and rot-resistant, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and turned objects. Its unique color and strength make it a standout choice in both structural and decorative applications.
Zebrawood is instantly recognizable for its dramatic, high-contrast striping of dark brown and cream. Sourced primarily from West Africa, it’s a dense and durable hardwood used in furniture, paneling, cabinetry, and fine woodworking projects where bold visual appeal is key. Despite its interlocked grain, Zebrawood finishes well and adds a strong graphic element to any design.
Tigerwood, also known as Goncalo Alves, features rich orange-brown coloring with dark brown to black striping, giving it its namesake tiger-like appearance. This South American hardwood is highly durable, resistant to moisture and decay, and often used in decking, flooring, and high-end interior applications. Its hardness and natural sheen make it both functional and visually impressive.
African Padauk ranges in color from vivid reddish-orange to deep crimson and eventually darkens with age. Its straight grain and exceptional stability make it easy to work with, and it's frequently chosen for fine furniture, turned items, flooring, and inlays. Its intense color and durability make it a showpiece in any wood project.
Ebony is one of the most prized exotic woods in the world, valued for its deep black color, fine texture, and natural density. Traditionally used in piano keys, fingerboards, and high-end inlays, Ebony offers unmatched visual elegance and smoothness. It’s dense, heavy, and requires care in machining, but rewards with a luxurious finish and timeless appeal.
Wenge is a dark, dense hardwood native to Central Africa, known for its bold brown-black coloring and coarse, straight grain. It’s favored for modern interiors, furniture, flooring, and accent applications that call for a deep, contemporary tone. Wenge is naturally durable and rot-resistant, and offers a distinctive texture when left unfinished or wire-brushed.
