What is acacia wood?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Hardwood · the wood of our hardwood garden furnitureAcacia wood
The acacia in our garden furniture comes from plantations in South-East Asia. Warm in colour, lively in figure and affordable — provided you look after it properly outdoors.
- Plantation acacia from South-East Asia
- Not the same as robinia
- Outdoors: oil it and keep it sheltered
Acacia wood
The acacia in our garden furniture comes from plantations in South-East Asia. Warm in colour, lively in figure and affordable — provided you look after it properly outdoors.
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Acacia at a glance
A warm, affordable hardwood for garden furniture that lasts longest outdoors with regular oiling and a dry place for the winter.
Acacia is a fast-growing hardwood cultivated on plantations in South-East Asia. It has a warm, golden-brown colour, a lively figure and is noticeably more affordable than teak. That is why you see it so often in bistro sets, loungers, garden tables and benches.
What it is not: a wood that can stand untreated in all weathers for years. Acacia is naturally less durable than teak or robinia. With care and shelter it lasts a long time; without, it ages quickly.
Bistro sets, loungers, garden tables and the Belloro garden bench with integrated folding table. Browse the hardwood range.
- Origin
- plantations in South-East Asia
- Species
- plantation acacia (genus Acacia)
- Colour
- warm golden brown, lively figure
- Outdoors
- with care, preferably sheltered
- Maintenance
- oil once or twice a year
- Winter
- indoors, under a roof or covered
- Price range
- affordable
To be fair: acacia moves with big swings in moisture and can then show small cracks or slight warping. Regular oiling and dry storage make the difference here.
Acacia or robinia?
In Belgium and the Netherlands robinia is often called "acacia" too. They are two different trees, with very different properties.
Plantation acacia
- Genus Acacia, grown on plantations in South-East Asia
- Warm golden brown, lively figure
- Affordable hardwood for garden furniture
- Outdoors: oil regularly and keep sheltered
Robinia
- Robinia pseudoacacia, the "false acacia"
- Originally from North America, grown in Europe
- Very durable, even in ground contact
- More about it: robinia
What you read about robinia — very durable, untreated in the ground — does not apply to plantation acacia. If you buy acacia garden furniture, count on maintenance. When in doubt, always ask for the botanical name.
How to recognise acacia
Colour
Warm golden brown to mid brown, with lighter and darker parts side by side. No two boards are alike.
Figure
Lively, often with a slightly wavy grain. That is what gives acacia furniture its character.
Weight
Light to medium weight: sturdy to the touch, but lighter than teak or oak. Folding furniture stays easy to move.
Ageing
Untreated, acacia greys quickly outdoors and can start to move. With oil the warm colour lasts longer.
"Acacia" covers several species and hybrids, and their figures vary. Until the exact species of our wood is confirmed, we would rather give no figure than a wrong one. What is certain: acacia needs maintenance outdoors.
Where acacia does and doesn't belong
| Use | Suitable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Garden furniture on a patio or balcony | Yes, with maintenance | Oil regularly, don't leave it standing in puddles |
| Garden furniture under a canopy | Yes, ideal | Sheltered, the wood stays at its best |
| Indoor furniture | Yes | Warm colour, little maintenance indoors |
| Decking boards and platforms | No | Permanently wet — there is other wood for that |
| Posts and ground contact | No | Choose robinia or pressure-treated wood |
| Hydraulic works | No | Choose azobé or an equivalent class 1 species |
Acacia in the garden
Solid acacia. At its best outdoors with regular oiling and a dry place for the winter.
Working acacia
Pleasant to work, with a few points to watch.
- Well-dried woodAcacia moves as it dries. Wood dried under control prevents cracking and warping.
- Sharp toolsThe wavy grain can tear out on the surface; sharp tools give a cleaner result.
- Always pre-drillThat way the wood won't split when you screw into it.
- Stainless fixingsThe tannin in acacia turns black with ordinary steel. Use stainless steel, aluminium or brass.
- Treat the end grainThat is where moisture gets in fastest. An extra coat of oil on every end grain pays off.
Maintaining acacia
With acacia, maintenance is what keeps the wood healthy, not just good-looking.
Oiling
A hardwood oil once or twice a year, the first time before the furniture goes outside. See the wood oils by colour.
Keep it dry
Don't leave it standing in puddles or on wet ground, and let it dry after rain. Fold-away furniture should be stored dry.
Cleaning
Water, mild soap and a soft brush. No pressure washer on the wood.
Winter
Indoors, under a roof or under a breathable cover. No plastic sheet: it traps moisture.
Small cracks
Small surface cracks can appear with big swings in moisture. Oiling and dry storage keep them in check.
Frequently asked questions about acacia wood
Is acacia wood the same as robinia?
No. Robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) is often called "acacia" in Belgium and the Netherlands too, but it is a different genus. The acacia in our garden furniture is plantation acacia from South-East Asia, with different properties.
Do I need to treat acacia wood?
Yes, outdoors we recommend it. A hardwood oil once or twice a year protects the wood against moisture and keeps the warm colour. So it is more than cosmetics.
Can acacia garden furniture stay outdoors all winter?
Preferably not unprotected. In winter put it indoors, under a canopy or under a breathable cover, and don't leave it standing in puddles or on wet ground.
Why are small cracks appearing in my acacia garden furniture?
Acacia moves with big swings in moisture and temperature. Small surface cracks can then appear. Regular oiling and keeping the furniture dry limit this.
How does acacia compare with teak?
Teak is naturally more durable and oilier, and can stand outdoors untreated. Acacia is more affordable and warm in colour, but outdoors it needs regular maintenance and a sheltered place in winter.
Why does acacia turn black around my screws?
Because of the tannin in the wood, which reacts with iron. Use stainless steel, aluminium or brass fixings — the same advice as for oak.
Compare acacia
Acacia is one of the species in our register — affordable and warm, with maintenance as the condition.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.