Skip to main content
Log in

Review of wood properties of Acacia koa A. Gray (koa)

  • Brief Original
  • Published:
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Koa wood is highly valued primarily because it has unique color, figure, and favorable working characteristics; however, little is known about its properties. Current information is inconsistent and is limited to few sources. Understanding the properties of diminishing old growth koa is important so that comparisons to planted koa can be made. Planted koa will serve as a substitute only if the value adding properties are present. This review reveals how difficult it is to characterize old growth and potentially plantation grown wood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alden HA (1995) Hardwoods of North America. Gen Tech Rep FPL–GTR–83. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, pp 136

  • Baker PJ, Scowcroft PG, Ewel JJ (2009) Koa (Acacia koa) ecology and silviculture. Gen Tech Rep PSW–GTR–211. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA, pp 129

  • Dudley N (2007) Acacia utilisation and management: adding value. In: Beadle CL, Brown AG (eds) RIRDC Publication No. 07/095, Rural industries research and development corporation, Canberra

  • Dudley N, Yamasaki J (2000) A guide to determining wood properties of Acacia koa. HARC Forestry Report No. 3. http://www.hawaiiag.org/harc

  • Forest Products Laboratory (2010) Wood handbook—Wood as an engineering material. Gen Tech Rep FPL–GTR–190. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, pp 508

  • Gerry E (1955) Koa or Koa-Ka. US Forest Serv., Forest Prod. Lab. Information Leaflet Foreign Woods, Rep. 2023, pp 8

  • Loudat TA, Kanter R (1996) The economics of commercial koa culture in Hawaii. Koa: a decade of growth. Prepared for the county of Hawaii, Department of Research and Development

  • Potter CB (2006) Acacia koa (koa) and Acacia koaia (koai’a). ver. 3. In: CR Elevitch (ed). Species profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestrv. Permanent agriculture resources (PAR), Holualoa, Hawaii. http://wwwtraditionaltree.org

  • Rock JF (1974) The indigenous trees of the Hawaiian Islands, 2nd edn. Charles E. Tuttle Company Inc., Rutland

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi X, Brewbaker JL (2004) Genetic improvement of Hawaii’s premier hardwood, Acacia koa. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii. 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

  • Skolmen RG (1974) Some woods of Hawaii, properties and uses of 16 commercial species. USDA Forest Serv Gen Tech Rep PSW-8. PSW For and Range Exp Stn Berkeley, CA, pp 30

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. H. Bond.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wilton, I.A., Bond, B.H. & Dudley, N.S. Review of wood properties of Acacia koa A. Gray (koa). Eur. J. Wood Prod. 73, 121–126 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-014-0859-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-014-0859-8

Keywords

Navigation