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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 tulipwood and what makes it distinctive?
Brazilian tulipwood (Dalbergia decipularis) is a South American rosewood-family hardwood with exceptional and unusual colouring — creamy white to pale yellow base with vivid pink, rose, and salmon streaks. It has a fine texture, very high hardness (Janka approximately 2900), and takes a high natural polish. Tulipwood is used for inlay work, marquetry, pen turning, musical instrument accents, and small decorative woodworking.
Is tulipwood subject to CITES restrictions?
Yes. Brazilian tulipwood is in the Dalbergia genus, which was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2017, restricting international trade and requiring documentation from the exporting country confirming legal harvest. This has significantly reduced commercial availability. Windsor Plywood sources through established suppliers with appropriate documentation. Contact your local branch for current availability and sourcing information.
Does tulipwood maintain its pink colour over time?
Tulipwood's distinctive pink and rose tones fade with UV exposure, transitioning toward a more uniform light brown tone over time. UV-inhibiting clear finishes slow this process significantly. For applications where the distinctive colouring is the design intent, UV protection is important. The aged colour is still attractive but loses the vivid pink saturation that makes fresh tulipwood exceptional.
What are tulipwood's main woodworking applications?
Due to CITES restrictions and the small available sizes from tulipwood trees, it is primarily used as a specialty accent material — pen turning blanks, inlay strips, marquetry accents, musical instrument rosette and binding details, and small decorative boxes where the distinctive colour pattern justifies the premium cost and limited size availability.
Does Windsor Plywood carry tulipwood?
Windsor Plywood carries tulipwood as a specialty exotic hardwood in small turning and inlay dimensions subject to current availability and CITES documentation requirements. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock.