Albizia saman, common name, monkeypod (monkey pod), saman, rain tree, 'ōhai. Stunning shade tree from tropical America, with large, dome-shaped canopy that can grow up to 80+ feet and having a canopy covering an area just as wide. The attractive wood is crafted into furniture platters and bowls that are commonly marketed in Hawaii. The pods have a sweet, sticky brown pulp, and are fed to cattle in Central America. Sapwood thin and yellowish and heartwood varies from dark chocolate brown when freshly cut, becoming attractive light to golden brown with darker streaks. The wood is moderately hard, lightweight, has a specific gravity of. 0.52, is of coarse texture, and fairly strong. It is very resistant to decay and resistant to dry-wood termites. It takes a beautiful finish but can be cross-grained in areas which can make it difficult to work. The wood shrinks very little in drying. It is the wood around which the carved bowl trade of Hawaii was built beginning in 1946. The wood has been employed for furniture, interior trim, carvings, and flooring to bowls, serving utnesils and trays and cutting boards. It is a popular wood for large frame members in wooden boats. It is suitable also for boxes and crates, veneer, plywood, and paneling. In Central America, cross sections of thick trunks have served as wheels of ox carts.
