The woods are listed below by scientific name, which I prefer to common names because it is not at all unusual for a half-dozen different tree species to be called the same thing, e.g. "rosewood" or "ironwood." Use the common name index to look up the scientific name for any species on the list. Where the species is listed as "(Genus) spp.", as in Alnus spp., this indicates several or all species of the genus (Alnus, in this example).
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Scientific name | Common Name(s) | Toxicity Type, Source, and Effects |
---|---|---|
Abies balsamea |
Fir, Balsam / Eastern Wood |
Weak sensitizer (leaves, bark) / dermatitis |
Acacia aneura |
Mulga |
Irritant (dust ) / dermatitis, headache, nausea |
Acacia harpophylla |
Brigalow |
Irritant (bark, wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Acacia melanoxylon |
Blackwood, Australian |
Moderate sensitizer (dust, wood) / dermatitis, asthma |
Acer campestre |
Maple, Field / Hedge |
Weak sensitizer (dust) / asthma |
Acer macrophyllum |
Maple, Bigleaf / Oregon |
Sensitizer(dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Acer negundo |
Boxelder |
Sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Acer spp. |
Maple, including Black, Hard, Red, Rock, Silver, Soft, Sugar |
Weak irritant (dust) / asthma |
Acrocarpus fraxinifolius |
Acrocarpa / Cedar, Pink |
Moderately toxic |
Adenanthera colubrina |
Cebil / Curupay |
Moderately toxic |
Aesculus flava |
Buckeye, Yellow |
Moderate irritant (nuts, twigs) / contains aescin, a cytotoxin |
Afzelia spp. |
Afzelia / Doussie |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Albizia falcataria |
Albizia /Batai |
Moderately toxic (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, nausea |
Albizia julibrissin |
Silktree |
Mildly toxic (leaves, bark) / nausea |
Albizia lebbek |
Kokko |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis |
Alnus spp. |
Alder, including Arizona, Common, Gray, Hazel, Japanese, |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Anacardium occidentale |
Cashew |
Mild sensitizer (dust, wood, sap) / dermatitis, blisters from sap |
Andira inermis |
Partridge Wood / Angelin |
Irritant |
Aspidosperma peroba |
Peroba Rosa |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / severe dermatitis, asthma, |
Astronium fraxinifolium |
Goncalo Alves |
Mild sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Astronium graveolens |
Goncalo Alves |
Mild sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Astronium lecointei |
Goncalo Alves / Muiracatiara |
Mild sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Aucoumea klaineana |
Okoume / Gaboon |
Sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma, coughing |
Bagassa guianensis |
Tatajuba |
Toxic (wood, dust) / contact dermatitis |
Baikiaea plurijuga |
Teak, Rhodesian / Umgusi |
Irritant (dust) / respiratory irritation |
Balfourodendron reidelianum |
Pau Marfim / Maple, Brazilian |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Berchemia zeyheri |
Ivory, Pink / Ivorywood, Red or Pink |
Irritant (bark, fruit, sap) / dermatitis, poisoning |
Betula alleghaniensis |
Birch, Yellow / Birch |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Betula papyrifera |
Birch, Paper / Birch |
Mildly toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Betula pendula |
Birch, European (Silver) / Birch, Masur |
Mild sensitizer (dust, wood) / dermatitis, asthma |
Betula pubescens |
Birch, European (White) / Birch, Masur |
Mildly toxic |
Blepharocarya involucrigera |
Butternut, Rose |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, conjunctivitis |
Bowdichia nitidia |
Sucupira |
Sensitizer (wood, dust) / contact dermatitis |
Bowdichia virgilioides |
Sucupira |
Sensitizer (wood, dust) / contact dermatitis |
Brachylaena hutchinsii |
Muhuhu |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Brosmium alicastrum |
Bread Nut |
Toxic (dust) / nausea, expectoration, thirst) |
Brosmium guianensis |
Snakewood |
Moderate irritant (dust) / nausea, expectoration, thirst |
Brosmium paraense |
Bloodwood / Satine |
Toxic (dust) / nausea, expectoration, thirst |
Brosmium rubescens |
Bloodwood / Satine |
Toxic (dust) / nausea, expectoration, thirst |
Brya ebenus |
Grenadill (Genuine) |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Buxus sempervirens |
Boxwood, European |
Mild sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Byrsonima crassifolia |
Bois Corne |
Toxic |
Caesalpinia echinata |
Brazilwood |
Toxic / dermatitis, headaches, nausea, visual disturbance |
Caesalpinia granadillo |
Ebony, Brown / Partridgewood |
Toxic / dermatitis |
Callitris glauca |
Cypress, Australian / Cypress-Pine, White |
Irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, |
Calophyllum brasiliense |
Jacareúba / Santa Maria |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, fainting, insomnia, possible |
Cardwellia sublimis |
Lacewood / Silky-Oak |
Strong irritant (dust, sap) / dermatitis |
Castanea sativa |
Chestnut, Sweet |
Toxic (bark, lichens) / dermatitis |
Castanospermum australe |
Bean, Black |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis |
Cedrela fissilis |
Cedar, Brazilian |
Irritant (wood, dust) / severe dermatitis, asthma, possible |
Cedrus libani |
Cedar-of-Lebanon |
Toxic (dust) / asthma, rhinitis |
Ceratopetalum apetalum |
Coachwood, Australian |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Chamaecyparis lawsonia |
Cedar, Port Orford / Cedar, Western |
Moderately toxic (dust, extractives) / dermatitis, earache, |
Chlorocardium rodiei |
Greenheart |
Strong sensitizer (wood, dust (sepsis from splinters, asthma, |
Chloroxylon sweitenia |
Satinwood |
Strong irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, headache, |
Cinnamomum camphora |
Camphor-Tree |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, shortness of breath |
Cordia goeldiana |
Freijo |
(Rare) sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Corymbia citriodora |
Gum, Lemon / Gum, Spotted |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Corymbia gummifera |
Bloodwood, Red |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, headache, giddiness, cramps, |
Corymbia maculata |
Gum, Spotted |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes |
Pine, New Zealand White / Kahikatea |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Dacrydium cupressinium |
Rimu |
Toxic (dust) / eye & nose irritation |
Dalbergia baroni |
Palissandre, Madagascar |
Sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia cearensis |
Kingwood |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia decipularis |
Tulipwood |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia greveana |
Rosewood, Madagascar |
Strong sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia latifolia |
Rosewood, East Indian |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia louvelli |
Rosewood, Violet |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia melanoxylon |
Blackwood, African |
Strong sensitizer (wood, dust) / severe dermatitis, asthma, |
Dalbergia nigra |
Rosewood, Brazilian |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia pterocarpifolia |
Palissandre, Madagascar |
Strong sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia retusa |
Cocobolo |
Strong irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma, conjunctvitis, |
Dalbergia spruceana |
Jacaranda Do Para |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia stevensonii |
Rosewood, Honduras |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dalbergia variabilis |
Tulip |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Dialium guianense |
Jutahy / Limoncillo |
Mildly toxic |
Diospyros spp. |
Ebony, including Gabon, Macassar |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, conjunctivitis, |
Diospyros virginiana |
Persimmon, Common |
Mild irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Distemonanthus benthamianus |
Movingui / Ayan |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Dyera costulata |
Jelutong |
Mild sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Dysoxylum muelleri |
Mahogany, Miva |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, headache, nosebleeds |
Entandrophragma angolense |
Gedu Nohor / Tiama |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Entandrophragma cylindricum |
Sapele / Pomele |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Entandrophragma utile |
Sipo / Utile |
Irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Enterolobium cyclocarpum |
Guanacaste |
Mildly toxic (dust) / nose & throat irritation, allergies |
Eucalyptus delegatensis |
Oak, Tasmanian |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, coughing |
Eucalyptus globulus |
Eucalyptus, Bluegum |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Eucalyptus leucoxylon |
Eucalyptus, White Ironbark |
Toxic (dust) / coughing, asthma |
Eucalyptus marginata |
Jarrah |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Eucalyptus microcarpa |
Box, Grey |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, coughing, eczema |
Eucalyptus microtheca |
Coolibah |
Toxic (bark, wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Eucalyptus obliqua |
Oak, Tasmanian |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, coughing |
Eucalyptus regnans |
Oak, Tasmanian |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, coughing |
Eucalyptus saligna |
Gum, Sydney Blue |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, coughing |
Fagus grandifolia |
Beech, American |
Moderate sensitizer (leaves, bark, dust (dermatitis, coughing |
Fagus sylvatica |
Beech, European |
Moderate sensitizer (leaves, bark, dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Flindersia australis |
Ash, Crows' |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Flindersia brayleyana |
Maple, Queensland |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Fraxinus americana |
Ash, White |
Toxic (dust) / rhinitis, asthma |
Fraxinus excelsior |
Ash, European / Ash, Olive |
Toxic (dust) / rhinitis, asthma |
Fraxinus mandschurica |
Ash, Japanese |
(Rare) toxic (dust) / respiratory problems |
Gluta spp. |
Rengas |
Irritant (bark, sap, dust (dermatitis, blisters, intestinal ulcers |
Gonioma kamassi |
Boxwood, African |
Toxic (dust, extractives) / respiratory problems, fainting, |
Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum |
Agba |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Guaiacum spp. |
Lignum Vitae, Roughbark Lignum Vitae |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Guarea cedrata |
Bosse Clair / Guarea |
Toxic (dust, extractives) / dermatitis, respiratory problems, |
Guibortia demeusei |
Bubinga |
Toxic (dust, extractives) / dermatitis, possible skin lesions |
Gyrocarpus americanus |
Cooliman Tree |
Toxic (may cause blindness) |
Hallea ledermannii |
Abura / Bahia |
Toxic (wood, dust, splinters) / nausea, giddiness, eye irritation |
Hippomane mancinella |
Manchineel |
Highly toxic (leaves, bark, wood, dust) / severe dermatitis, |
Holigarna arnottiana |
Bibu |
Toxic (sap) / severe dermatitis |
Hymenaea courbaril |
Cherry, Brazilian / Jatoba / Courbaril |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Intsia bijuga |
Kwila / Merbau |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis |
Jacaranda caroba |
Caroba |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Juglans cinerea |
Butternut |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis |
Juglans nigra |
Walnut, Black |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Juglans regia |
Walnut, European |
Moderate sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Juniperus virginiana |
Redcedar, Eastern (Aromatic) |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems |
Khaya anthotheca |
Mahogany, African / Khaya |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Khaya grandifolia |
Mahogany, African / Khaya Cailcedrat |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Khaya ivorensis |
Mahogany, African / Khaya |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis |
Khaya nyasica |
Mahogany, African / Mahogany, Nyasaland |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Khaya senegalensis |
Mahogany, African / Khaya Cailcedrat |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Laburnum anagyroides |
Laburnum |
Highly toxic (seeds) / poisoning, death |
Larix decidua |
Larch, European |
Toxic (bark, dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Larix occidentalis |
Larch, Western / Western Wood |
Sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Liquidambar styraciflua |
Sweetgum (American) / Liquidambar |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Liriodendron tulipifera |
Poplar, Yellow |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Litsea glutinosa |
Bollywood |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis |
Lophira alata |
Ekki / Azobe |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Lovoa trichilioides |
Walnut, African / Lovoawood / Dibetou |
Toxic (dust) / respiratory problems |
Machaerium acutifolium |
Pao Ferro / Rosewood, Bolivian / Rosewood, Santos |
Moderately toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Maclura pomifera |
Osage Orange |
Toxic (sap) / dermatitis |
Manilkara huberi |
Lancewood, Red |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis |
Mansonia altissima |
Mansonia / Bete |
Severe irritant (bark, sap, wood, dust) / severe dermatitis, |
Melanorrhoea curtisii |
Rengas |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Metopium browneii |
Chechen / Chechem / Rosewood, Caribbean |
Moderate sensitizer (sap, wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Metrosideros robusta |
Rata |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis |
Microberlinia spp. |
Zebrawood / Zebrano |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma |
Milicia spp. |
Iroko / Kambala |
Strong irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, asthma, pneumonia |
Millettia laurentii |
Wenge |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory |
Millettia stuhlmannii |
Wenge / Partridgewood / Panga Panga |
Moderate sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory |
Nauclea diderrichii |
Bilinga / Opepe |
(Rare) sensitizer (wood, dust) / coughing, respiratory |
Nerium oleander |
Oleander |
Highly toxic (leaves, bark, wood, dust) / nausea, poisoning, |
Nothofagus cunninghamii |
Myrtle, Tasmanian |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Ocotea bullata |
Stinkwood |
Irritant (dust) / sneezing |
Ocotea porosa |
Imbuia |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, sneezing |
Olea spp. |
Olivewood / Olive, including Cape, East African, European |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems |
Olneya tesota |
Tesota / Ironwood, Desert |
Toxic (dust) / rhinitis, sneezing |
Paraserianthes toona |
Siris, Red |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, nosebleeds, giddiness |
Paratecoma peroba |
Peroba, White |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, sneezing, asthma, sepsis |
Peltogyne spp. |
Purpleheart |
Mopderately toxic (wood, dust) / nausea |
Pericopsis elata |
Afrormosia |
Irritant (wood, dust, splinters) / dermatitis, asthma, sepsis, |
Picea spp. |
Spruce, including Black, Brewer, Colorado Blue, Eastern, |
(Rare) sensitizer (wood, dust) / respiratory problems |
Piptadeniastrum africanum |
Dahoma / Dabema |
Moderate irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis |
Pometia pinnata |
Taun |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis |
Populus spp. |
Aspen, Cottonwood, Poplar, Balm-of-Gilead, Eastern Wood |
(Rare) toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, sneezing, asthma |
Prosopsis juliflora |
Mesquite / Algarrobo Del Brasil |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Prunus serotina |
Cherry, Black |
(Rare) toxic (dust) / asthma, giddiness |
Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Douglas Fir / Western Wood |
Mildly toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems, |
Pterocarpus spp |
Padauk, including African, Andaman, Burma / Kiaat / |
(Rare) sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Pterocarpus indicus |
Narra / Amboyna (Burl) |
(Rare) sensitizer (wood, dust) / dermatitis, coughing, nausea |
Quercus spp. |
Oak, including European, Live, Red, and White varieties |
Mild sensitizer (leaves, bark, dust) / dermatitis |
Quercus mongolica |
Oak, Japanese |
Sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, sneezing |
Rhus spp. |
Sumac |
Irritant (bark, dust) / severe dermatitis |
Robinia pseudoacacia |
Locust, Black |
Moderate irritant( leaves, bark, dust) / dermatitis, nausea |
Salix spp. |
Willow |
(Rare) sensitizer (leaves, bark, wood, dust) / respiratory |
Sassafras albidium |
Sassafras / Ash |
(Rare) toxic (leaves, sap, bark, wood, dust) / respiratory |
Sassafras officinale |
Sassafras, Red |
Sensitizer (leaves, bark, wood, dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Schima wallichii |
Needlewood |
Toxic (bark) / dermatitis |
Schinopsis haenkeana |
Quebracho |
Moderate irritant (leaves, bark, dust) / respiratory problems, |
Schinus terebinthifolius | Pepper, Brazilian | Moderate irritant (sap), contact dermatitis |
Sequoia sempervirens |
Redwood, California |
Mild sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, pneumonia |
Sequoiadendron giganteum |
Sequoia, Giant |
(Rare) irritant (dust) / respiratory problems |
Shorea spp. |
Mahogany, Philippine / Lauan / Luan / Meranti / Balau |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, coughing |
Sophora secundiflora |
Mescalbean |
Highly toxic (seeds) / hallucination, poisoning, death |
Spirostachys africana |
Tamboti |
Strong irritant (bark, sap, dust, smoke) / severe dermatitis, |
Strychnos nux vomica |
Strychnine Tree |
Highly toxic / poisoning, death |
Sweitenia humilis |
Mahogany, Mexican |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Sweitenia macrophylla |
Mahogany, Central American / Honduras |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems, boils |
Sweitenia mahagoni |
Mahogany, Caribbean |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis |
Syncarpia glomulifera |
Turpentine |
Irritant (dust) / sneezing, coughing |
Tabebuia serratifolia |
Ipe / Walnut, Brazilian / Lapacho |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, headache |
Taxodium distichum |
Baldcypress |
(Rare) sensitizer (dust) / respiratory problems |
Taxus baccata |
Yew, European |
Highly toxic (leaves, bark, sap, wood, dust) / dermatitis, nausea, |
Taxus brevifolia |
Yew, Pacific |
Highly toxic (leaves, bark, sap, wood, dust) / dermatitis, nausea, |
Tectona grandis |
Teak |
Moderate sensitizer (dust) / dermatitis, asthma, pneumonia |
Terminalia alata |
Indian Laurel |
Irritant (dust) |
Terminalia ivorensis |
Afara, Black / Idigbo |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems |
Terminalia superba |
Korina / Afara / Limba |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems, sepsis |
Thuja plicata |
Cedar, Western / Western Red / Western Wood |
Strong sensitizer (leaves, bark, dust) / respiratory problems |
Tieghemella heckelii |
Makore |
Toxic (wood, dust) / dermatitis, coughing, headache, nervous |
Toona australis |
Cedar, Australian Red |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, coughing, headache, cramps, asthma |
Toona ciliata |
Cedar, Australian Red |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis, coughing, headache, cramps, asthma |
Triplochiton scleroxylon |
Obeche |
Strong irritant (wood, dust) / dermatitis, respiratory problems |
Tsuga heterophylla |
Hemlock, Western / Hem-fir / Western Wood / |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma |
Turreanthus africanus |
Avodire |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, coughing, nosebleeds |
Ulmus spp. |
Elm |
Irritant (dust) / dermatitis |
Umbellularia californica |
Myrtle, California / Oregon |
Moderate sensitizer (leaves, bark, dust) / respiratory problems |
Zanthoxylum flavum |
Satinwood, American |
Toxic (dust) / dermatitis, giddiness, nausea |
References:
Wood Identification and Use, by Terry Porter. Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, 2006
Compilation from articles printed in WOOD Magazine and American
Woodturner,
originally posted to rec.woodworking by Bruce Taylor
taylor@tpwosf.tayl.dec.com, which cites the following:
Woods Toxic to Man, author unknown
Toxic Woods, B. Woods & C.D. Calnan, Br. [sic] Journal of Dermatology, 1976
ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983
AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, K. Lame & M. McAnn, AMA 1985
Poisondex, Micromedix Inc., 1990