Robinia Hardwood

Robinia

Robinia, also known as Robinia pseudoacacia, is a hardwood species with a unique and striking colour variation. The heartwood ranges from greenish-yellow to dark or golden brown, sometimes with a green tinge, and darkens on exposure to a golden-brown or russet. It has a prominent straight grain and a coarse texture, with a marked contrast between the dense latewood and large-pored early wood. The sapwood is a yellowish colour.

Robinia is a versatile timber, suitable for a wide range of uses. It is an ideal choice for cabinetmaking, veneers and other woodworking projects, as well as decorative applications. It is also a popular choice for outdoor furniture and decking, as it is naturally resistant to decay and insect infestation.

Robinia is a sustainable and legal source of timber, and is widely available from suppliers. It is a great choice for woodworking projects, as it is strong and durable, with a beautiful natural colour variation.

  • Spec:
  • FAQ's:
  • Uses:
  • Links:

Material Type:
Hardwood

Also Called:
Black Loscust, Locust, False Acacia, Yellow Locust; Robinier, Robinie (German); Valse Acacia (Dutch), Faux Acacia (French); Akazie

Durability Notes:
Robinia wood is moderately durable

Seasoning:
The drying and seasoning of Robinia is dependant on a number of factors; the speed in which it is processed after felling and logging, the method of drying and the specific kilns or location (if air dried). Generally the care taken by those processing the wood will have an impact on its drying and seasoning. As an overview; Robinia - it is slow-drying and prone to warp or distort badly; there can be botch end and surface checking. Robinia shows medium movement in use. Please note that all wood is liable to move when in service plus there can be dimensional change. The extent of this will depend on; the stability of the species itself, the conditions it is exposed to, the coating, decoration and protection. You will find more information about the suitability of this wood, for any proposed application, by using our interactive system and the filters shown.

Properties:
Robinia is a tough and durable wood with medium crushing and bending strength. It has fairly low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. The wood is fairly challenging to work with both hand and machine tools and has a tolerable blunting affect on tools but a good finish can be achieved.

Typical Uses:
Fence Posts, Decking, Outdoor Furniture, Playground Structures, Firewood, Carving, Flooring, Musical Instruments.

Moisture Content:
Guide - 10-18% for KD (+/- 2%)

Commonly asked questions about Robinia Wood

Is Robinia a hardwood or a softwood? Robinia is a hardwood. It is the same for; is Robinia hardwood or softwood? - Robinia is a hardwood.

Most groups/families of species share the same characteristics but this normally relates to their life as plants. Individual species do not always share the same characteristics as their relatives, in terms of the wood. Many factors influence how we use the wood and what we use it for, including where it grows, how it is forested, how it seasons/dries, etc. The answers to the following common questions, therefore relate to this particular species/wood and not the Robinia family as a whole. Even more specific – our answers relate to the wood (as we know it) in its form as a useable resource.

What colour is Robinia? Robinia can be described as brown, yellow/brown, orange

Is Robinia good for outdoor use? or is Robinia good for exterior use? Robinia is most suited for interior/interior use. Robinia can be used as an exterior/external timber (without treatment).

Whether the wood is naturally durable or not we would still recommend that it is decorated and/or coated with a suitable product to provide protection and/or maintain its appearance. This even applies when using the wood internally as, even subtle, changes in temperature or humidity will affect the wood. This will depend on the application/purpose of the wood and the user’s desired appearance. We also recommend that a recoating, care and maintenance programme is adhered to, for the life of an exterior wood. Wood cannot rot if it is kept dry – coatings and decoration can provide this protection. All of that said there are many durable timbers that are often left to weather naturally and will last for many years untreated/coated – movement and visual changes will occur but this is sometimes the desired effect. All wood is hygroscopic (it 'wants' to be in tune with its environment) it will therefore take on water from moisture in the air (or when directly exposed to or submerged in water) and ‘release it’ when dry or exposed to heat. This, inevitably, results in movement and dimensional change. For more about moisture in wood please click here - Moisture in wood

Are you in the timber industry?

Would you like help growing your business and have access to free industry tools and eBooks? Then please visit:

www.woodu.co

 

Any One Wood - The Wood Databse