About The Wood

Photographs of African Blackwood Timber

This section contains various views of the wood produced by the African blackwood tree and a listing of websites with an excellent variety of information.

Side view of mpingo log about 7" (18 cm) in diameter and 18" (45 cm) in length showing the yellowish band of sapwood that lies directly under the bark. Weight is 34.5 lbs (15.6 kg). — Side view of mpingo log about 7″ (18 cm) in diameter and 18″ (45 cm) in length showing the yellowish band of sapwood that lies directly under the bark. Weight is 34.5 lbs (15.6 kg).

End view of the log. Dimensions are 6" across x 7" high (15 cm x 18 cm). — End view of the log. Dimensions are 6″ across x 7″ high (15 cm x 18 cm).

Endgrain view of another log section of mpingo with few heart defects showing the irregular shape in which it grows. This size log is considered large compared to most mpingo harvested. Diameter is about 8 1/2" x 11" (21 cm x 28cm). Log is 11" long and weighs 56 lb. (25.5 kg). — Endgrain view of another log section of mpingo with few heart defects showing the irregular shape in which it grows. This size log is considered large compared to most mpingo harvested. Diameter is about 8 1/2″ x 11″ (21 cm x 28cm). Log is 11″ long and weighs 56 lb. (25.5 kg).

Half-section of mpingo log 9" (23 cm) in diameter and 12" (30.5 cm) in length. This cut through the center of the log shows some of the heart checks, shakes and other defects which are common in mpingo. — Half-section of mpingo log 9″ (23 cm) in diameter and 12″ (30.5 cm) in length. This cut through the center of the log shows some of the heart checks, shakes and other defects which are common in mpingo.

Planed surface showing the striking contrast between the dark purplish-brown and black heartwood and pale yellow sapwood.

Endgrain view of one of a clarinet bell blank. The growth rings are barely visible curving about the right uppermost corner. This wood is so tight-grained and uniform in texture that the pores in the wood are difficult to see without magnification. — Endgrain view of a clarinet bell blank. The growth rings are barely visible curving about the right uppermost corner. Mpingo is so tight-grained and uniform in texture that the pores in the wood are difficult to see without magnification.

A stack of reject blanks from the musical instrument trade. 90% of the mpingo cut for this purpose ends up on the scrap pile. Some is diverted to native carvers for their use and others like these pieces are sold as imperfect pieces for other woodworking purposes such as woodturning, ornamental turning and knife handles. — A stack of reject blanks from the musical instrument trade. 90% of the mpingo cut for this purpose ends up on the scrap pile. Some is diverted to native carvers for their use and others are sold for other purposes such as woodturning, ornamental turning and knife handles.

Clarinet bell blank - 3 1/2" (88 mm) in both height and base dimension. — Clarinet bell blank – 3 1/2″ (88 mm) in both height and base dimension.

Further information about the wood can be found on numerous websites. Below is a list.

• One of the most in-depth descriptions about Dalbergia melanoxylon can be found on PlantNet:
https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Dalbergia_melanoxylon_(PROTA)

• Another excellent source: Grokipedia: https://grokipedia.com/page/Dalbergia_melanoxylon

• Global Tree Assessment: https://www.bgci.org/our-work/networks/gta/

• Wood Database: https://www.wood-database.com/african-blackwood//

• World Agroforestry: https://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb2/AFTPDFS/Dalbergia_melanoxylon.PDF

• Useful Tropical Plants: https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dalbergia+melanoxylon

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalbergia_melanoxylon

• PlantZAfrica.com: https://pza.sanbi.org/dalbergia-melanoxylon

• Flora of Mozambique: https://www.mozambiqueflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=131070

Grey Crowned Cranes