The wood
What Is Hevea Maple? The Premium Hardwood Behind Every Heava Bed
Every Heava bed frame, bedside locker and bench is built from one remarkable material — Hevea Maple, a dense, close-grained hardwood with a sustainability story unlike any other timber.
Also known as rubberwood, understanding where Hevea Maple comes from is the key to understanding why we chose it.
What Hevea Maple actually is
Hevea Maple is the timber of the Hevea brasiliensis tree — the same tree that produces natural latex rubber. For around 25–30 years a rubber tree is tapped for latex. Once sap production declines, the tree reaches the end of its working life and, historically, was burned or left to rot. Hevea Maple is what that retired tree becomes: the mature trunk is harvested, kiln-dried and milled into furniture-grade hardwood. Its pale, warm, golden tone and fine even grain are why the trade named it "Hevea Maple."
Why it's a genuine premium hardwood
- Density: Janka ~980 lbf — true hardwood territory, comparable to ash and harder than pine.
- Stability: fine even grain and low shrinkage keep it dimensionally stable, so joints don't loosen or creak.
- Strength-to-weight: strong without being unworkably heavy — ideal for king and super king frames.
- Finish: the tight grain takes oils and natural finishes beautifully.
The upcycled sustainability story
Unlike oak, walnut or ash — grown to be cut — Hevea Maple is a by-product of an existing agricultural cycle. The rubber tree already gave decades of latex before its wood is harvested, so we're not felling forests; we give a second, longer life to a tree that would otherwise be waste. Not all rubberwood is equal: the generic version is mass-produced, chemically treated and flat-packed for global shipping. Heava is designed in Ireland and built to be kept — see is rubberwood a hardwood for the honest detail.
Hevea Maple vs oak vs pine
| Hevea Maple | Oak | Pine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood | Softwood |
| Janka (approx) | ~980 | ~1,290 | ~380–870 |
| Source | Upcycled retired rubber trees | Forest grown for timber | Fast-grown plantation |
| Sustainability | End-of-life upcycling | New growth felled | New growth felled |
| Best for | Durable sustainable frames | Heirloom traditional | Budget frames |
Hevea Maple FAQ
What is Hevea Maple wood?
Hevea Maple is the timber of the Hevea brasiliensis tree — the same tree that produces natural latex rubber. After ~25–30 years of tapping, the mature trunk is harvested, kiln-dried and milled into furniture-grade hardwood with a pale, warm, golden tone and fine even grain.
Is Hevea Maple the same as rubberwood?
Yes. "Hevea Maple" and "rubberwood" are two names for the same timber from the rubber tree. The trade name "Hevea Maple" reflects its maple-like pale colour and fine grain; we use both terms openly.
Is Hevea Maple a hardwood?
Yes — it is a genuine hardwood, with a Janka hardness around 980 lbf. That is true hardwood territory, comparable to ash and harder than the pine used in most budget "solid wood" frames.
Is Hevea Maple good for bed frames?
Very. Its density and fine, even grain make it dimensionally stable, so joints stay tight and the frame stays silent — ideal for king and super king sizes where cheaper frames flex and squeak.
Is Hevea Maple sustainable?
It is one of the most sustainable hardwoods available. Unlike oak or ash grown to be felled, Hevea Maple is a by-product of latex farming — the tree has already given decades of latex before its wood is harvested, so nothing new is cut down for it.