Tropical timber always had a fascinating effect on humans. Especially garden furniture or pool furniture made of teak are always surrounded by a touch of luxury of bygone days. As breathtaking as teak and other tropical types of wood used for decking or furniture are, there is always the destruction of the rainforest as the lungs of our planet, associated with these products.

Not with us!
I can say from my own experience that the tropical jungle itself still represents a much greater fascination. When I visited Panama for the first time in 2016, I was immediately captivated by the incredible biodiversity of the flora and fauna. That's why for me protecting the natural rainforest always comes first. If you whish you can read more about my personal experiences and impressions in Panama and about the rainforest on the Tropical Hardwood Blog.

Who is Tropical Hardwood?

We are a young company or start-up that imports sustainable gained tropical timber and teak from plantations in Panama and bring them to the European market. With our partner in Panama, we are able to offer a wide range of products tailored to your needs and desires. From teak logs and other tropical timber logs, to finished and/or individualized Wooderra products, a multitude of wishes can be realized with us.
If you plan to launch an own tropical timber product on the market, we can offer support and provide in cooperation with Wooderra the timber supply taylored to your needs. We see ourselves as a reliable partner who not just sells tropical timber but offers you additional value through individual service and support. Our goal is to provide each customer with what they need.

Especially for companies in the following business areas, we can create attractive offers according to your specifications:

• Individual factories and joineries
  
• Interior decorators, designers and interior designers
  
• Garden, terrace, and pool builders
  
• Online shops and retail
  
• Artists and wood artists
  
• boat builder

You are a professional buyer? Let us know what you are looking for and which requirements you have by using the contact form

"In the simplicity and silence of nature, humans can find the life force."

(Julius Waldemar Grosse, German writer, 1828 – 1902)

Is sunken wood really a good alternative?

Yes, sunken wood can be a good alternative for connoisseurs and valuers of beautiful tropical types of timber such as teak, cumaru or tigerwood. Scientists have discovered that over time, the water takes away the growth tension of the wood, what makes the wood even more resistant. There come over 30 different types of wood from the reservoir in Panama and every type of wood has a unique grain and different awesome properties. That's why our offer is so diverse. The different woods are perfect for certain applications. Together with Wooderra from Panama, we can already offer a wide range of finished products made of teak, cumaru or other types of wood, as well as supplying tropical logs of many species from now until the long term future. We are also official importer and distributor of Wooderra at the European level.

Our timber can be used for:

• Wall or ceiling coverings
  
• Floors and baseboards
  
• Design table slats, bathroom furniture, wash basins and wooden bathtubs
  
• Construction wood for pergola, canopies and other exterior elements
  
• Terrace or pool decking
  
• Design pieces of furniture and design elements for adding value to beautiful homes
  
• Terrace and pool furniture
  
• cigar boxes
  
• and much more

Why Panama as the country of origin?

During my time in Panama, I quickly realized that there is no simple division between good and evil. The people in these regions and countries, just like us, need space and land for agriculture and livestock, living and public spaces. However, it makes a difference if some land is used for new lots or square kilometers of rainforest get cut down for providing tropical timber. Selectively logging or not, today we know it better and even selective logging often leads to wide transport lanes in the jungle.

Panama is one of the pioneers of rainforest protection among all the countries of the tropical latitudes. Many parts of the primary forest have already been declared as nature reserves and others are likely to follow. Some parts of Panama are also subject to the self-government of indigenous tribes. These are not interested in sacrificing the jungle as their livelihood, for a bit of money.

How does the purchase of our timber help people in Panama?

Panama is stable and relatively safe compared to other Latin American countries. However, there are areas in Panama City that tourists and locals avoid as much as possible, due to street criminality there.
The rural exodus is also a problem for Panama, as most of the GDP is generated in Panama City and Colón and there is hardly any work in rural areas. The poorer people from the country move to the big cities with the dream to find work and later prosperity. Nevertheless, they are forced to move to one of the poorer areas of the city, as the money is scarce. Unfortunately, the dream of work bursts quickly in most cases and many of these people are then forced to pay their living by begging or petty crime. Especially for the younger generation, the danger of slipping into a criminal life is high due to their proximity to the social hot spot.
Politicians are doing their best to prevent such developments, but they are powerless if the economy does not change. The Bayano Reservoir Project, as well as the teak plantations near Santiago are both located in the more rural area of Panama, where there is little or only low-paid casual work. The more successful these projects are, the more permanent jobs will be created there and people will no longer have to move to the city. Our partners in Panama and Wooderra ensure that people are fairly paid and sustainable jobs get created for these projects.