It’s also reported by the IUCN as being near threatened. Technically it doesn’t meet the Red List criteria of a vulnerable or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or may qualify in the near future.Ĭommon Uses: Musical instruments (guitars, clarinets, oboes, etc.), inlay, carving, tool handles, and other turned objects.Ĭomments: To be considered the original ebony, African Blackwood was imported and used in Ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. Sustainability: African blackwood is listed on CITES appendix II under the genus-wide restriction on all Dalbergia species-which also includes finished products made of the wood. Since the tree grows so slowly, and is generally small and gnarly, available boards tend to be narrow-though large clear sections have occasionally been harvested from older trees that yield bookmatched guitar backs (~8″ wide). Pricing/Availability: African blackwood is very expensive, on par with true ebonies such as Gaboon Ebony in the Diospyros genus. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Odor:African blackwood has a mild-though distinctive-scent while being worked.Īllergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African blackwood has been reported as a sensitizer. When made into clarinet or oboe bodies, the wood is typically processed on metal-working equipment, giving it a reputation as being metal-like in some of its working properties. African blackwood is most often used in turned objects, where it is considered to be among the very finest of all turning woods-capable of holding threads and other intricate details well. Workability: Very difficult to work with hand or machine tools, with an extreme blunting effect on cutters. The lighter colored sapwood is commonly attacked by powder-post beetles and other borers. Rot Resistance:Heartwood is rated as very durable in regards to decay resistance, though only moderately resistant to insects/borers. Grain/Texture:Grain is typically straight fine, even The pale yellow sapwood is usually very thin, and is clearly demarcated from the darker heartwood. Occasionally slightly lighter, with a dark brown or purplish hue. Color/Appearance: Often completely black, with little or no discernible grain.
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