Where is ebony wood from

Then I figured I better do a little research on Ebony. Yet it actually hurts me to give it up. I think it would be an awesome investment opportunity for someone to start an ebony tree farm in the tropics. Sort of like Diamond Tropical did with teak. I could be wrong, but I think one of the biggest obstacles to farming a lot of these endangered species not just ebony, but also rosewoods too , is that the growth rate is simply too slow for it to be financially worth it.

With some in-demand hardwoods like Teak or Mahogany, the growth rate seems to be fast enough to warrant cultivating these trees on plantations. Deforestation is another issue altogether. They are concerned with conservation and are in fact cultivating new ebony forests. The problem is less often the woodworker than the client who demands rare and endangered wood species, simply because they are rare and expensive, to feed their egos.

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Katalox Swartzia spp. Black Palm Borassus flabellifer Black Palm is economical, sustainable, beautiful, and in a lot of instances, would probably serve the same aesthetic function as ebony—and do it in a more organic and natural-looking way. Black Walnut Juglans nigra Walnut can lose a lot of color in the kiln-dying process. Texas Ebony Ebenopsis ebano Texas Ebony can have very dark colors and interesting streaks and grain patterns.

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Give it value and they may protect it. Dave Burrows. Reply to bigjim. Reply to Francisco. Wood ID. Supporting the Site. This shade of deep black is derived from ebony wood, a dense hardwood with a smooth, fine texture.

This material, which comes from several tree species in the Diospyros genus, has a long history of ornamental use. Lumber from these Diospyros trees is considered black ebony:. Other trees in the same species have similar properties as black ebony, but with a variegated, striped hue rather than pure black.

African ebony is the most traditionally used species and is prized for its rich, dark heartwood and dense, heavy consistency. The jet-black heartwood features a fine, even straight grain, although interlocking grain is occasionally seen.

It boasts a natural shine and is highly durable, with resistance to termites and other wood-boring insects. Because ebony is so dense, working this hardwood can be difficult and may require specialized tools.

The use of this hardwood for ornamental purposes dates to ancient Egypt, where carved ebony was found in royal tombs. By the late 16th century, ebony was prized for fine cabinetry with bas-relief carvings featuring religious or classical scenes. These pieces were first created in Antwerp, where the Dutch largely depleted the supply of Mauritius ebony, and later crafted in Paris. In modern times, the use of ebony is relegated to small, ornamental items. Some common examples include crosses and religious paraphernalia, musical instrument parts such as piano keys and guitar fingerboards, guitar picks, figurines and chess pieces.

This characteristic seems to derive from its inability to compete successfully with other plants. During its early years the tree develops an extensive system of roots to sustain its life during the long months of the African dry season.

Growth of the tree is incremental; it takes years to attain a usable size and mature trees ever exceed a height of 9 m. Some prize specimens have been reported with a 1 m. Black Ebony is a much-branched, many-stemmed, spiny, deciduous tree losing its foliage in the dry season, or shrub of dry woodland and savannah that grows up to m tall. The leaves are pinnate with leaflets, the flowers are white and sweetly-scented and the fruits are a blunt pinnate pod with seeds.

Flowering takes place in the second dry season, covering most of the branches when the tree is leafless. Pods mature about 7 months after flowering. The trunk or bark is pale grey to pale brown and the bole is often deeply fluted but usually under 1. It commonly has more than one stem. Large trees may have low buttresses. Especially on the branches and on the boles of younger trees there are scattered straight, conical, pale-colored spines, which often bear leaves and flowers.

In older trees there are irregular flaky patches. Find Your Face Shape. Frames For Your Face Shape. EN FR. You are eligible for free shipping! Ebony Tree Replacements. Ebony Wood Glasses. Sold out. History of Ebony Wood. Did you know Ebony wood was used in handles of Samurai swords? It is considered to be endangered because of its extensive longing for the past years.

This tree is now commercially classified as extinct. Its black wood is the heaviest in the world. It weighs about 70 pounds per cubic food.

As a result, it is also the slowest growing in the world at just one half of an inch per year. It is one of the world's most massive tree. It has a beautiful natural shine and is highly durable, boasting resistance to termites and other wood-boring insects. However, because of the exploitation and drastic population reduction, export of Mun Ebony is currently banned.

Use and Benefits of Ebony Wood. Ebony wood effective for those with Anemia. Ebony wood is beneficial in the dietary field, specifically those with diabetes.

Ebony leaves are practically used to treat skin conditions like scarring. Organic African Ebony wood extracts helps protect the skin from damaging effects of pollution. African Ebony wood is often harvested by locals for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Importance of Ebony Wood. Why is Ebony Wood Facing Extinction? Ebony Tree Alternatives. Let's explore them: Katalox wood native to Southern Mexico, Central America and Northern America: a hard dark wood that has similar fine grain and texture to genuine ebony. It is best for small decorative items. Black Palm Wood native to the tropical regions of Africa and Asia: It is also used to replicate the appearance of Ebony wood when making furniture, boats, floor and tool handles.

It is commonly used instead of Ebony wood for decorative veneers and paneling, flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Purple Heart Wood is a favorite among woodworkers in North America. It is native to Central and South America.