Is there a difference between Sheesham, Shisham and Rosewood? Or just commercial branding? - Rustic Furniture Outlet

Is there a difference between Sheesham, Shisham and Rosewood? Or just commercial branding?

The market craze in most furniture stores in Canada is that fancy exotic and showy wood known to most as Indian Rosewood. You can quickly identify it, as it sets itself apart with a distinctive and strong natural grain pattern of normally 2 tones. 

Rosewood grain pattern

The dark brown tones (varies from golden brown to red-brown color)  are the heartwood (inner wood) which is very hard, strong and durable. The sapwood of rosewood is straw-colored.

If you were to travel to northern India, Pakistan or Nepal, it grows up to a maximum of 25 m (82 ft) in height and 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in diameter, with a crooked trunk (wikipedia). It is considered as a solid hard wood and is the second most cultivated tree after teak.  


So Sheesham wood or Shisham wood is essentially known as North Indian Rosewood or Dalbergia sissoo.

Sheesham/Shisham is for those wondering is the Hindi word for Indian Rosewood. We guess that buying "Rosewood" sounds more sexy as opposed to Sheesham right?? 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.