• The Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), native to the Amazon region of South America, produces rubberwood (or parawood), which is becoming increasingly popular in the manufacture of furniture, gunstocks and toys. The rubber tree is more important in economical terms due to its production of a saplike extract, commonly known as latex.
  
  

Environmentally Friendly

• Rubberwood is often marketed as an environmentally friendly wood because it uses plantation trees that have already served an important purpose: the production of latex. The trees help reduce global warming during their lifespan by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. The trees stop producing latex after around 25 years, at which point they are chopped down to be used in the manufacture of furniture. New trees are then planted in their place.
  
  

Timber Properties

• Rubberwood is notable for its even, straight, dense grain and light coloring. It is a fairly hard wood, of light to medium weight, and It is considered easy to work with, nails and glues well, and suffers from only minimal shrinkage. Because of its light color, it is suitable for any manner of finishing, including staining, laminating and lacquering. On the downside, it does tend to warp, but this can be managed by application of pressure during the drying process.
  
  

Affordability

• Because rubberwood is a byproduct and is in plentiful supply, it is a relatively cheap wood. This makes it very popular in plantations, where it is grown to produce wood for the manufacture of furniture and household goods, such as chopping boards. In Malaysia, 85 percent of total wood furniture exports are rubberwood. It's marketed under names like Malaysian Oak and White Mahogany.