All
    Anegre
    Arapatanga
    Ash
    Beech
    Birch
    American Cherry
    Ebony
    Elm Burr
    Indian Mahogany
    Iroko
    Khaya
    Khaya Curl
    Makore
    Maple
    Birdseye Maple
    Mazur Birch
    Movingue
    Myrtle
    Oak
    Santos Rosewood
    Sapele
    Indian Satinwood
    Sycamore
    Teak
    Tuari
    American Walnut
    European Walnut
    Yew
    Zebrano
Back

Ebony Macassar

The following information is posted with permission of Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) and is taken from their red booklets Timbers of the World. © TRADA

EBONY, AFRICAN

Diospyrus spp.                                 Family: Ebenaceae
including D. crassiflora Hiern.,
and D. piscatoria Gurke.

Other names
Cameroons, Gabon, Kribi, Madagascar, Nigerian ebony, according to origin.

Distribution
Limited range in southern Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroons and Zaire.

The tree
A small to medium-sized tree attaining a height of about 18m and a diameter of about 0.6m.

The timber
One of the best jet-black varieties is believed to be D. crass/flora. It is a very heavy timber weighing 1030 kg/m3 when dried. Other species produce handsome black and brown striped varieties.

Drying
In general African ebony air dries quite readily, but there is a tendency for surface checks to develop. In small sizes, the timber kiln dries fairly quickly and well, with little tendency to split or distort.

Durability
Probably very durable.

Working qualities
The black heartwood is inclined to be brittle and is rather hard to work, and has a considerable dulling effect on cutters which should have their cutting angle reduced to 20^o to avoid picking up when curly grain is present. It takes a fine polish.

Uses
Turnery, inlaid work, fancy articles, brush backs.