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Bright, dense, and full of exotic appeal, Pau Amarello—also known as Yellowheart—is a vibrant hardwood prized for its naturally bold yellow colour and fine, uniform texture. We offer select Pau Amarello lumber and turning blanks ideal for inlays, fine furniture, flooring, decorative accents, and woodturning projects that call for a pop of colour and precision. Native to South America, Pau Amarello features a striking lemon-yellow hue that remains stable with proper finishing, making it a favourite for high-contrast designs and artistic applications. It is moderately dense, machines well with sharp tools, and finishes to a smooth, lustrous surface—perfect for detailed and polished work. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in hard-to-find and exotic wood species, backed by expert knowledge and personalized service. Whether you're crafting custom inlays or a standout piece, Pau Amarello brings vibrant energy and unique character to every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pau amarelo and what makes it distinctive?
Pau amarelo (Euxylophora paraensis), also spelled pau amarello, is a South American hardwood with a vivid, uniform bright yellow colour — one of the most saturated natural yellows available in commercial wood. It has a fine, even texture and moderate hardness. Pau amarelo is used for accent work, inlay, marquetry, turning, and decorative woodworking where a consistent, strong yellow natural colour is the design goal.
Does pau amarelo maintain its yellow colour?
Pau amarelo's yellow colour fades with UV exposure over time, transitioning toward a more tan-yellow or orange-yellow tone. UV-inhibiting clear finishes slow the colour change. Keeping finished pieces out of direct sunlight preserves the vivid yellow longer. The faded colour is still attractive but loses some of the saturation that makes the species distinctive.
What applications is pau amarelo used for?
Pau amarelo is used for colour contrast accent work in furniture, inlay banding and stringing, pen turning, marquetry, small decorative boxes, and musical instrument accents. Its uniform, saturated yellow colour creates strong contrast with darker woods and is a valuable element in decorative woodworking that relies on natural wood colour variety.
Is pau amarelo difficult to work with?
Pau amarelo is moderate in difficulty for an exotic hardwood. It machines cleanly with sharp tools, turns well, and sands to a smooth surface. Grain direction changes should be monitored to avoid tearout. The natural surface oils may slow finish adhesion on some products — a light wipe with mineral spirits before finishing is recommended.
Does Windsor Plywood carry pau amarelo?
Windsor Plywood carries pau amarelo as a specialty exotic hardwood in small lumber and turning blank dimensions subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock for your project.