How much is a koa tree 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.

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.

Can I grow a koa tree?

Growing a koa tree should only be attempted where the conditions are right, namely those of Hawaii, its native area. These are beautiful shade trees that do best in their natural habitat but which can be grown to a shorter lifespan and smaller size in Hawaii’s residential areas.

How tall do koa trees grow?

50-80 ft
Koa is the largest native tree in the archipelago, reaching 50-80 ft in height. Mature trees, which can live for over 100 years, have a diameter often measuring more than 3.27 ft. While koa seedlings have true leaves, mature koa trees only have phyllodes, or expanded petioles.

Is Koa wood heavy?

Koa is a hardwood and considered a moderately heavy wood. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Product Laboratory, Koa’s technical weight is .

Can you cut down koa trees?

Koa is far from endangered, but DOFAW controls any cutting on state land, which is limited to careful pruning and thinning of fallen, dead or dying trees, Smith says. “You need a permit to cut koa, and it needs to be done in a manner prescribed by DOFAW so it protects the forests.

Does koa only grow in Hawaii?

Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii. Sure, other species of the acacia family grow in other parts of the world. But, the species Acacia Koa grows only in Hawaii. This is the reason why Koa is so highly prized in Hawaii.

Why is koa wood expensive?

Koa wood is precious Koa wood is highly regarded and it is so precious because it can only be found in Hawaii. Its beauty and rarity make koa among the most expensive woods in the world. Koa wood starts at around $40 per board feet and can go up to $200 board feet for rare large slabs.

What is Koa wood good for?

Koa trees were used by ancient Hawaiians to build canoes and surfboards and are sometimes still used to build furniture. Because koa is a ‘tonewood,’ it is used to make ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and Weissenborn-style Hawaiian steel guitars.

Is Koa wood hard or soft?

hardwood
Koa is a hardwood and has high crush resistance and shock absorbance. It is often compared to walnut, however, it weighs about 25\% more and its interlocking grain makes for an exceptional figure. It’s thin, light-colored sapwood surrounds the hardwood that woodworkers describe as lustrous, swirled marble.

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.

How long does a koa tree live?

In landscaping settings, they generally stay much smaller, closer to 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m.) and may only live 5 to 20 years. Koa trees produce a nice, umbrella-like canopy that can be up to 40 feet (12 m.) across.

Can you grow a koa tree in Hawaii?

Growing a koa tree should only be attempted where the conditions are right, namely those of Hawaii, its native area. These are beautiful shade trees that do best in their natural habitat but which can be grown to a shorter lifespan and smaller size in Hawaii’s residential areas.

What is the difference between koaiʻa and koa?

Koa resembles koaiʻa, but Koa is larger in height and leaf length and width. Koa is the largest native tree in the archipelago, reaching 50-80 ft in height. Mature trees, which can live for over 100 years, have a diameter often measuring more than 3.27 ft.

What is Acacia koa?

Acacia koa is native to Hawaii and is found growing naturally on most of the islands. It is also the largest native tree in the state. The wood of the tree is prized for furniture and crafts, but it is hard to come by and is mostly used from remnants or harvested in pasture areas.