Ohia

Metrosideros polymorpha

‘Ohi‘a lehua
The ‘Ohi‘a is unique to Hawai‘i. It is one of the trees initially used by native Hawaiians for critical construction applications such as tools, and wear-strips along the gunwales of canoes. Its modern applications are typically in flooring, furniture and cabinetry. It is the most common endemic tree in the state, can be a major component of mixed forest stands, and is one of the very first trees able to take root on new lava fields. The tree is present in shapes ranging from shrubs to 100 feet in height. The wood ranges in color from pale brown to a dark reddish brown. It is fine grained, very hard, strong, and dense (specific gravity .70) In furniture and cabinetry applications, ‘Ohi‘a is nearly indestructible. However, great care and experience must be brought to bear in the seasoning of this notoriously unstable wood.