Search for

Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Brya ebenus Trade Name American ebony Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Amerimnom ebenus, Inga vera Common Names American ebony, Amerikanisches ebenholz, Brown ebony, Cocos wood, Cocus, Cocus wood, Granadillo, Green ebony, Guaba, Guaba del pais, Guaba nativa, Guama, Jamaica ebony, Legno granadillo, Ojo de perdiz, Pan chock, Pois doux a paille, Red ebony, River koko, Torchwood, West Indian ebony Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadelope [France], Jamaica Common Uses Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Light construction, Musical instruments, Poles, Tool handles, Turnery, Walking sticks Heartwood Color Red Brown Pink Dark brown Brown Black Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Purple Sapwood Color Well defined White to yellow Grain Figure Straight Stripe (figure) Wavy Even Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Closed Straight Wavy Striped figure Other figure Distinct figure Texture Fine Fine Luster Low Lustrous Natural Durability Very durable Durable Moderately durable Toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 Drying Defects Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking No twisting or warping No surface checking Ease of Drying Easy Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Nailing Possible if prebored Difficult to nail Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Screwing Possible if prebored Turning Easy to turn Good results Finish is generally satisfactory Polishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 74 lbs/ft3 Weight 73 58 lbs/ft3 Item Green Dry Metric Density 1185 kg/m3 References Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 9 Central America and the Caribbean,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Burtt, B.L.,1936,Malenesian Plants,Kew Bulletin 8 pp459 Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J., Mell, C.D.,1924,Timbers of Tropical America,Yale Univ. Press Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13