Rosewood (Sheesham)

Sustainability

Rosewood is slow growing and its sustainability is threatened by over-exploitation of its timber and illegal logging. In Java and India, large plantations have been established to meet the demand for Indian rosewood, but it has been placed on the IUCN Red List as 'Vulnerable'. This means it is at high risk of extinction in the medium term. Export of Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) logs and timber is prohibited under the Indian Forest Act.

The Brazilian rosewood has been listed as a Level I Most Threatened tree species since 1972. Group I represents the species considered to be the most threatened and endangered species, and international trade in these species is accordingly the most restricted (in the case of timber, this includes finished wood products).

Due to increased exploitation in the context of the spread and popularity of rosewood furniture, since 2013 all rosewood species, including the Indian rosewood (sheesam), have been listed as endangered species in Group II, meaning that their exploitation is now strictly regulated and only possible in limited quantities under export permits.

This is one of the reasons why the furniture industry has started to replace the rosewood with the mango tree, which is a worthy counterpart to the rosewood in both quality and beauty, but is fully sustainable in terms of logging, ensuring the long-term survival of the species without causing environmental damage.