Ebony has pure black or colored striped wood. She does not have pronounced annual rings. Very heavy and hard, it is perhaps the most valuable of all tree species. Such properties are inherent in some representatives of the Persimmon genus from the Ebony family.
Description and characteristics
Ebony (photo posted in the article) is a scattered vascular sound hardwood with a white narrow sapwood (a layer of wood directly adjacent to the bark). It has a core with inconspicuous black annual layers with a glossy surface. Its heart-shaped rays are very narrow, so they cannot be seen on any of the cuts. Small vessels, collected in radial groups, are most often filled with black-colored core substances.
Density of dried ebony wood can vary from 1000 to 1300 kg/m³. The sapwood is quite narrow and contrasts sharply with the dark color of the heartwood. However, Caucasian persimmon, as well as several other types of trees, have one significant difference. It lies in the fact that their sapwood and ripethe wood is exactly the same in color.
Fruits
I must say that since ancient times, ebony has been covered with mystical legends and beliefs. For example, the ancient Greek scientist Pausanias wrote that it is barren and does not even have leaves, but consists only of roots that the Ethiopians use for healing.
Most ebony growing in the tropics and subtropics are evergreen, but there are also deciduous species common in temperate climates. Caucasian persimmon also belongs to this genus. The fruit of the ebony tree is very large and tasty, resembling a tomato in appearance. In ancient Chinese scrolls, they wrote about him 3 thousand years ago. Persimmon can be eaten raw, as well as jam, marshmallow, candied fruits and even wines and liqueurs. In addition, it is considered a good dietary product.
African varieties
Such a concept as ebony ebony combines several species that grow in Asia (Sri Lanka, India) and Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria, Zaire, Ghana). Its main feature is a very dark core color.
Cameroon ebony is the most common type of wood imported from the continent. It has a deep black color, sometimes with gray streaks. The main feature of this wood is its pronounced open pores, because of which it is valued much less than other fine-pored varieties.
Madagascar ebony is a dark brown wood with a density up to 1000kg/m³, with almost imperceptible pores, extremely resistant to moisture, it is not afraid of termites.
Asian varieties
Macassar ebony is a "colored" wood with a yellowish-white sapwood that grows in Indonesia. The kernel itself is black with brown or light yellow stripes and has a very dense structure, reaching up to 1300 kg/m³. The dust of this tree, as, indeed, of other ebony, is very toxic. It can cause various allergic reactions in the human body, such as irritation on the skin or mucous membranes.
Moon ebony is a wood very similar to Makassar, but it comes from Vietnam and Laos.
Ceylon ebony has the best qualities: hard, with invisible pores, excellent polishing, extremely resistant to moisture and harmful insects. Products from it are very difficult to find, as they are quite rare and are considered the highest quality and most expensive. It was from such wood that the best craftsmen made their furniture in the 16th-19th centuries.
Exclusive varieties
Moon ebony is a very rare variety of the mabolo species. It grows in the Philippines and is found exclusively in the impenetrable rainforests of Myanmar. This ebony tree, the color of which has unusual light shades, looks very beautiful. So, immediately after sawing, white wood with soft, greenish stains prevails, but after drying, the color scheme changes to a golden yellow hue with black patterns, stripes and veins. Sometimes, instead of dark, other shades can be observed, for example, blue or chocolate.
By the way, it is strictly forbidden to cut down and export moon ebony in Myanmar. Quotas for its harvesting are sold very rarely, and even then in small quantities. Such strictness is due to the fact that only those trees whose age is from 400 to 1000 years are intended for felling. Interestingly, the moon ebony in appearance is no different from the others. Its color will be visible only after cutting.
Drying Features
Ebony grows rather slowly: it may take centuries before it reaches commercial size. It is because of this that the wood becomes so dense (up to 1300 kg / m³) and easily sinks in water. Its mechanical properties are very high: the bending strength of some Indian and African species reaches 190 MPa, and the hardness is 2 times the strength of oak. In addition, ebony can withstand high impact loads.
Drying this wood is not easy. If you break the technology, it will greatly decrease in volume. Therefore, in countries where they are engaged in harvesting, as in ancient times, they make a special preliminary cutting 2 years before cutting down. It is made in this way: layers of sapwood are cut in a circle at the base of the trunk in order to stop the growth of the tree.
After the harvesting and sawing of the trunk is completed, the finished boards, the ends of which are carefully treated with lime or other material, are stacked. Placefor their further storage should be sheltered from the sun and not have drafts. Only by observing all the above conditions, you can avoid too rapid drying of the wood. This process usually takes at least six months. If at least one of the rules is violated, the boards can warp and become covered with numerous cracks.
Production Features
It should be noted right away that ebony wood is quite difficult to process, so men usually do it. Such painstaking work requires a lot of effort, and even the manufacture of a small figurine can take a very long time. In addition, before you start working with ebony wood blank, you need to take care of safety. As mentioned above, dust and sawdust can cause an allergic reaction, so the masters usually wear glasses and a gauze bandage.
Indeed, ebony is very difficult to cut due to its high density, as well as various mineral inclusions that are present in it. These properties have a negative effect on the cutting edges of tools, which dull very quickly. The most difficult workpiece is considered to be the one whose fibers have a wavy structure. In addition, some types of wood are prone to chipping, especially Indonesian macassar. However, it works well on lathes. After the product is ready, it is polished and thus gives it a beautiful matte sheen.
Application inmaking musical instruments
People began to use ebony for their needs in ancient times. It is worth noting that it has always been in price, so it was used mainly for the manufacture of various religious objects, sculptures, and, of course, expensive furniture. In addition, ebony wood is believed to be able to neutralize poisons, for this reason it was very often used to make tableware.
Eben is quite widely used in the manufacture of musical instruments such as flute, oboe and clarinet. Also, ebony is great for piano keys and individual parts of the guitar, especially shells and necks. Professional musicians appreciate such instruments very much. So, a polished ebony shell on a guitar does not emit unnecessary extraneous sounds even if the pick accidentally “jumps off” the string.
Furniture Applications
In the 17th century, ebony wood was used not only in inlay, but also in veneering. But they began to show the greatest interest in it only 200 years later, when fashion began to take shape, based on styling for other cultures, for example, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Indian, etc. Curule chairs with X-shaped legs were in particular demand. In ancient Rome, they were made of ivory or bronze, and in the century before last, they were made of ebony. It looked light and dainty, but it was actually a solid and reliable construction.
Todaybecoming a happy owner of furniture made of ebony is an unheard-of luxury that not many people can afford. Due to its properties, ebony, products from which are valued all over the world, is considered a very expensive material. Artfully carved by talented craftsmen, vases and figurines, walking sticks and candlesticks will become truly valuable and rare acquisitions that can decorate any home.
