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Windsor Plywood has been a trusted source for specialty lumber and hardwoods across western Canada for decades. Our specialty lumber selection goes well beyond standard framing grades, offering premium domestic and imported hardwood species suited for fine furniture making, custom cabinetry, architectural millwork, and decorative woodworking projects of all scales. Species available include hard maple, red oak, white oak, walnut, cherry, birch, alder, poplar, and a rotating selection of exotic and figured hardwoods depending on current inventory. In addition to solid hardwood lumber, we carry live edge slabs, figured wood for tabletops and accent pieces, and hardwood plywood in species to match. Windsor Plywood staff are knowledgeable about the properties and working characteristics of each species and can help you select the right material for your specific application. Visit your local Windsor Plywood to browse current specialty lumber stock and discuss your project with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rosewood and why is it restricted?
Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.) is a family of tropical hardwoods from South America, Africa, and Asia, known for rich brown to purple-red colour, fine figure, and exceptional tonal qualities that make it the premium wood for guitar fingerboards and backs. The entire Dalbergia genus was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2017, restricting all international trade in rosewood and requiring permits and documentation for commercial movement across borders.
Which rosewood species does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries rosewood-family species subject to current availability and CITES compliance requirements. Available species and their sourcing documentation vary by shipment. Due to CITES restrictions, rosewood availability is significantly more limited than it was prior to 2017. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm what rosewood-family species are currently in stock and with what documentation.
What are the main uses of rosewood in woodworking?
Rosewood is used for guitar fingerboards, backs and sides, musical instrument accents, pen turning, decorative handles, inlay work, high-end furniture accents, and luxury architectural details. Its combination of figure, colour, and tonal properties makes it irreplaceable for certain instrument applications. For furniture and decorative work, other exotic species can provide comparable visual impact where rosewood is unavailable or too costly.
What are good alternatives to rosewood for instrument work?
For guitar fingerboards and backs, commonly used rosewood alternatives include pau ferro (Microblepharisdimensi), ziricote, wenge, and East Indian laurel, which are not currently CITES-listed. For decorative woodworking where colour and figure are the main requirements, padauk, purpleheart, bloodwood, and bocote can provide comparable visual impact.
Is it legal to sell or purchase products made from rosewood?
Selling or purchasing finished products made from rosewood is generally permitted under CITES, as the restrictions apply primarily to raw timber and sawn wood trade. However, documentation of the wood's legal origin may be required for commercial transactions in some jurisdictions. Windsor Plywood complies with applicable regulations for the rosewood species it stocks. Contact your local branch for current guidance.