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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. Blunting Effect Carving Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Diospyros ebenaster Trade Name East indian ebony Family Name Ebenaceae Common Names East indian ebony, Ebone plaqueminier, Ebony persimmon, Kamagong, Kanran, Kaya arang, Kayu malam, Kukuo, Marblewood, Mgiriti, Msindi, Nyareti, Omenowa, Trayung Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka Common Uses Brush backs & handles, Carvings, Inlay work, Marquetry, Musical instruments , Piano keys, Pianos , Turnery Environmental Profile Status unknown due to inadequate information Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview India and Sri Lanka. In India it is found in the hills of the Deccan and Carnatic, extending north to the Cuddapah and Kurnool districts. The species is widely scattered. Heartwood Color Brown White Green/grey Grey brown Dark brown with black bands Sapwood Color Brown White White to yellow Grey Frequently streaked with black Grain Closed Even Figure Straight Irregular May be straight, irregular, or wavy Closed Texture Fine Fine Even textured The wood is very hard Luster Low Metallic luster Natural Durability Very durable Durable Moderately durable Resistant to termites Highly resistant to decay Odor No specific smell or taste Drying Defects Checking Splitting Distortion Wetwood may cause honeycomb, collapse and waterpockets Severe drying schedules may result in end and surface checking Black portions are especially prone to checking Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Requires care to minimize degrade To minimize drying degrade, material should be converted into the smallest sizes possible, and should be well protected Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m The tree is relatively small Product Sources The principal source of Ebony timber in India, the tree is seldom harvested for export since it is rarely obtainable in sufficient sizes and quantities. Blunting Effect High to severe Severe blunting effect on cutting surfaces Carving Very good results Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Difficult to glue Movement in Service Stable Small Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results High density makes wood difficult to plane and work Hard, heavy wood dulls cutting edges severely Difficult to plane Black ebony is hard and brittle, and chips easily. It is difficult to work in planing and most operations, and tends to dull cutters severely since it is hard and heavy. Resistance to Impregnation Highly resistant to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Excellent Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Excellent results Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 18538 psi Maximum Crushing Strength 7237 psi Specific Gravity 0.52 0.58 Volumetric Shrinkage 15 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1303 kg/cm2 Maximum Crushing Strength 508 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.52 0.58 References Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1992. Good Wood Handbook - The Wood worker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. HarperCollins Publishers, London. Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Rendle, B.J. Editor. 1970. World Timbers, Volume Three - Asia & Australia & New Zealand. Published by Ernest Benn Limited, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London. Troup, R.S. 1909. Indian Woods and Their Uses. The Indian Forest Memoirs, Economic Products Series, Volume 1, No. 1. Superintendent, Government Printing, Calcutta, India.