acacia koa seeds

The seeds of Acacia koa are contained in brown bean pods 1/4 to 1 inch wide and up to 12 inches long. The oval seeds are less than 1/2 inch long. Beetles often feed on the seeds. These seeds will have holes in them, but sometimes the seed is intact enough to germinate in spite of this damage.

Is Acacia the same as Koa?

Koa is Acacia, however, Acacia is not necessarily Koa. Like you mentioned, Koa is a species of Acacia (Acacia being the "mother species" of several sub species). Koa being called Koa and is only grown in the island's of Hawaii. The very same species elsewhere have other names, like Australia (Australian Blackwood).

How long does it take to grow a koa tree?

Koa are fast growing trees at 5 feet per year for the first five years, and can reach impressive heights in several decades in upper elevation landscapes.

Can koa trees grow in California?

Koa does well in Eureka (cool coastal) Calif. I have three 25 ' trees grown from seed. ... Koa is endemic to the Hawaian Islands. At present it is listed as a secure species; however, its habitat has and is being cleared and many trees destroyed.

Why is koa wood so expensive?

Why Is Koa Wood Special? ... Because koa only grows in Hawaii and many local laws are in place to protect it, its wood can only be harvested from dead trees on public lands. Its beauty and rarity make koa among the most expensive woods in the world at $150 per board-foot.

How can you tell real Koa wood?

Color/Appearance: Color can be highly variable, but tends to be medium golden or reddish brown, similar to Mahogany. There are usually contrasting bands of color in the growth rings, and it is not uncommon to see boards with ribbon-like streaks of color.

Do termites eat koa wood?

Fortunately, termites do not prefer Koa. Chemical pre-treatment will work to prevent termites, but it may discolor the wood.

Are koa trees valuable?

Acacia koa trees are ecologically, economically, and culturally significant to the Hawaiian Islands. Koa wood is one of the most valuable species in the world and sale of koa products represents a majority of all the Hawaiian wood products sold by Hawaiian retailers.

Does KOA only grow in Hawaii?

Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii.

The species Acacia Koa grows only in Hawaii and no place else in the world. Sure, other species of the acacia family grow in other parts of the world.

Is KOA a good wood for guitars?

Koa. A dense hardwood that, when used for guitar tops, produces solid tone, particularly at the high end, with pronounced midrange-y quality. Used for back and sides, koa's tonality resembles mahogany. Shop all Fender acoustic guitars here.

Is Koa wood toxic?

Yes, Koa wood is food safe. It is allergen and toxic free.

What is the oldest tree in Hawaii?

The Lahaina Banyan Tree, is the oldest Banyan tree in the Hawaiian Islands. It was planted by William Owen Smith in Lahaina's Courthouse square.

Where are koa trees found?

About this species: The Koa tree is endemic to Hawai'i and can be found on all the main islands except Kaho'olawe and Ni'ihau. Koa is the largest native tree species in the Hawaiian islands, reaching heights of approximately 115 feet.

Why is mahogany illegal?

Following the path of ivory, in 2003, mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction. Because Peruvian mahogany is traded in violation of CITES, it is illegal to trade or possess it under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

What is the most expensive wood in the world?

THE MOST EXPENSIVE WOOD IN THE WORLD

Grenadil, African Blackwood. This wood is one of the most expensive on the planet. ...
Agar Wood. Agar wood is a valuable plant found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia. ...
Black wood (Ebony) ...
Sandalwood. ...
Amaranth, Purple Heart. ...
Dalbergia. ...
Bubinga. ...
Bocote, Cordia (Bocote, Cordia)

What does koa wood symbolize?

Koa Wood is a Symbol of Strength

It was used to construct canoes, swords, and hand weapons of all kinds. ... The combination of symbolic strength (of Koa) and its substantive hardiness creates a Koa wood ring that both reflects and embodies vigor.

What is Koa wood worth?

The price of koa varies as much as any species in the world. Plain koa, without a variance in color or figure can be bought for as little as $15 to $20/bf and, if quartersawn, $20 to $50/bf. Lumber with the premium full curl usually ranges between $80 and $120/bf. Musical-grade koa runs up to $150/bf.

What does the name Koa mean in Hawaiian?

[Hawaiian Dictionary(Hwn to Eng)] koa. 1. nvs. Brave, bold, fearless, valiant; bravery, courage.

How do you clean koa wood?

Combine water and a teaspoon of dish soap in a small container. Dip a rag into the solution, and wring it to remove excess water. The rag should be damp. Clean the koa wood with the rag to remove loose dirt.

Do termites eat acacia wood?

What naturally termite resistant wood is there in the USA? Termite resistant heartwood (also called hardwood) is the oldest and hardest central part of a tree. ... The protective heartwood is found in natural types of trees, such as Eucalyptus, Mahagony or Redwood, Acacia, Cypress, Pine, Teakwood and Cedar.

What wood will Termites not eat?

Termites don't eat Redwood, Brazilian Jatoba, Walnut, Mahogany, Cedar, Teak, and Cypress. These woods are naturally resistant to termites.

Do termites eat Cypress?

Cypress sapwood, loblolly pine and slash pine are favored by termites. ... Cypress heartwood has been rated as termite-resistant, with one study showing that extracts from this wood actually repel termites. Similarly, if you lay cedar mulch, termites won't be very happy.