top

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


Wood Image 1

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
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Density74lbs/ft3
Weight7358lbs/ft3
ItemGreenDryMetric
Density1185kg/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