4,700+ sold · 100% feedback · US-based
Tamo ash is a burl veneer with a figure unlike anything else in the catalog, small overlapping oval clusters that look like scattered peanut shells across a pale golden ground. If you want tamo ash veneer sheets for a genuinely unique statement panel, this is real wood veneer worth having on hand.
We cut and sell tamo ash veneer by the square foot in small, maker-friendly sizes.
What is tamo ash veneer?
Tamo ash veneer is a thin slice of real wood, burl figure cut from ash trees, most commonly associated with Japanese and East Asian sourcing where the word tamo refers specifically to this ash burl figure. Slicing it thin stretches a genuinely rare burl section across many sheets, so a single burl covers far more surface than the same wood cut into solid form. Because it is genuine wood veneer, not a printed laminate, it sands, stains, and finishes exactly like the solid burl it came from.
Quick facts
Origin: East Asia, most closely associated with Japan
Color: Pale golden tan to light brown background
Grain / figure: Signature peanut shell or quilted burl figure with small overlapping oval clusters
Cut: Burl slice
Janka hardness: Ash generally runs around 1,300 lbf, though burl sections vary due to their irregular structure
Thickness: We stock 1/45 inch raw and thicker options
Backing: Paper backed veneer recommended for stability given the burl structure
Workability: Fair, burl figure is naturally more prone to small voids and needs careful handling
Sold: By the square foot, ready to ship
Appearance and figure
The peanut shell figure is what makes tamo ash instantly recognizable, small, tight, overlapping oval clusters spread across a pale golden background, a burl pattern distinct from the larger swirling burls you see in species like walnut burl. It reads as refined and detailed rather than bold, well suited to smaller accent uses where you want the viewer to look closely.
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Working and finishing tips
Burl veneer in general needs a gentler hand than plain sliced stock. Tamo ash's interlocked, irregular grain resists lying flat as easily as straight grained species, so paper backed veneer is the practical choice for most projects. Standard wood glue or contact cement both work once the sheet is properly backed and pressed.
Honest cautions.
- Small natural voids are part of the character. Burl veneer can include tiny inclusions or bark pockets. These are normal, not defects, and most makers work them into the design.
- Best used paper backed. The irregular burl grain is more prone to cracking if used raw on a curved or stressed surface.
- Better for small accents than large panels. Given its cost and figure density, tamo ash usually reads best as a centerpiece rather than a full coverage material.
Best uses
- Premium box lids. The peanut shell figure makes a striking centerpiece.
- Statement panels and inlay. A refined alternative to bolder burls. See Veneer for Boxes & Marquetry.
- Fine furniture accents. Small doses carry real visual weight.
For a bolder, larger scale burl figure, compare our Walnut Burl or Red Elm Burl. Browse the full Wood Veneer Types pillar or head to the Shop.
Sustainability and sourcing
Burl material like tamo ash is typically a specialty byproduct rather than a driver of large scale logging, since it comes from a specific figured section of a tree rather than the whole trunk. It is not CITES listed. Veneer is the ideal way to use burl wood: a single burl section, sliced thin, covers far more finished surface than it ever could in solid form.
Available now on eBay
Every sheet below is a live WoodCycle listing. We are US-based and ship fast, usually within one business day.
Frequently asked
What does tamo mean?
Tamo is the term used for ash burl figure, most closely associated with Japanese sourcing, referring specifically to the peanut shell shaped burl pattern.
Why does tamo ash have small voids in it?
Burl wood naturally includes small inclusions and tiny voids as part of its irregular growth structure. These are normal character, not defects.
Should I use tamo ash raw or paper backed?
Paper backed is recommended. The irregular burl grain is more prone to cracking on curved or stressed surfaces without it.
How is tamo ash different from other burl veneers?
Its signature is the small, tight, overlapping oval peanut shell figure, distinct from the larger swirling patterns of burls like walnut burl.
Where does your tamo ash come from?
Ash burl most closely associated with Japanese sourcing conventions. It is not CITES listed.
Need another species for the project?
Browse the full species library or shop live listings on eBay.