Among the top three types of redwood, "Huanghuali," "red sandalwood," and "red rosewood" are highly regarded. Due to their prestige, they often become targets for imitation and misrepresentation, which has led to confusion in the market. The term "wood" is commonly used, but so is "Huanghuali" or "sour wood," making it even more complicated. If you're curious about these terms, let's explore whether African rosewood belongs to the redwood family. For more information on this topic, visit Hansheng Hall Redwood Furniture.

In recent years, many manufacturers have started selling furniture labeled as "African sour wood," often referred to simply as "non-acid." But is this African rosewood actually part of the redwood family? Is it considered rosewood under the national standard? What exactly is it?

According to the national redwood standards, there are seven types of red rosewood and eight types of black rosewood. Understanding what "non-acid" refers to is key to clarifying whether it's a type of rosewood or not. Let’s take a closer look at this wood from different perspectives.

Most of the non-acid logs currently available in the domestic market come from Mozambique in East Africa. However, there are various opinions about what exactly "non-acid" refers to. Some sources say it's Kelly variegated beans, others suggest it's cola beans, while some claim it's Berk Sumu. There's also a theory that "non-acid" isn't a single species, but rather a general term for three types of wood: Kelly variegated beans, cola beans, and Berk Sumu.

These conclusions are based on information from authoritative sources such as quality inspection departments, customs authorities, and experienced timber experts. Therefore, there's still no final consensus on what "non-acid" really is. The information provided by these sources is for reference only.

African Red Rosewood

According to academic sources, here's what we know about the three tree species:

1. Kelly variegated beans (Latin name: *Baphia kirkii*), belonging to the legume family, grows up to 20 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 0.4 meters. The heartwood is distinct from the sapwood, with a reddish-brown to dark brown color, often featuring dark streaks. The growth rings are not obvious, and the texture is fine. The cross-section shows round or oval vessels with single or 2-3 double holes. The density is around 0.9 g/cm³.
2. Cola bean wood (*Cocophospermum mopane*), also from the legume family, can grow up to 25 meters high with a breast diameter of 0.5 meters. The heartwood is yellow-brown with dark streaks, and the growth rings are not clearly visible. The texture is fine, and the density is approximately 0.8 g/cm³.
3. Berk Sumu (*Burkea africana*), a medium to large tree, reaches up to 20 meters with a trunk diameter of 0.6 meters. The heartwood is purple-red with alternating light and dark stripes. The texture is fine, and the density ranges between 0.81 and 0.90 g/cm³.

Currently, many furniture pieces labeled as "non-acid" are painted to resemble red rosewood. Some, however, are left unpainted, showing a natural light yellow to dark yellow tone. Because of the issue with the bark and yield, this material requires higher-quality reclamation.

Although "non-acid" is not classified as redwood and does not meet the national standard for rosewood, it still offers decent density and stability compared to other non-standard mahogany woods. However, its processing is difficult, and the yield is low, which makes it more expensive than some other types like Siamese rosewood. It's slightly pricier than non-flowered varieties but less than flowering branches like Bali Dalbergia or Australian Dendrobium.

Despite the long-standing implementation of the National Standard and General Technical Conditions for Mahogany Furniture, the market still lacks clarity in labeling, leading to consumer confusion. Many merchants provide vague or unclear answers when questioned. Recently, even some well-known brands have labeled non-acid furniture as "African Red Rosewood" or "Full Redwood," highlighting the need for better industry regulation and transparency.

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