AFRICAN BLACKWOOD

(Dalbergia melanoxylon)

Also called Mpingo, Grenadillo, or Senegal Ebony, and sometimes called African Ebony (but not to be confused with the Diospyros species), this generally small & stunted-growth tree is found in many parts of Africa south of the Sahara, but most Blackwood that reaches the markets of Europe and America comes from Tanzania south to Mozambique. It is found growing on a variety of sites from sea level to 3500 feet but mostly in dry woodlands or savannahs. Trees are inherently of poor form, heavily branched, oftentimes with heart voids which end up as homes to other plants, insects, small mammals and reptiles. The heartwood is purplish to brownish-black with dark gray streaks giving an overall impression of being black. Lustrous with an attractive inner chatoyance. Very hard, heavy, close-grained, and virtually free from pores. Slightly oily to the touch. The sapwood is straw colored to a bright yellow and can be as wide as 2”. African Blackwood can weigh as much as 85 lbs per cubic foot.

In Africa, the Makonde, a tribe from southern Tanzania, have used Mpingo in their carvings for many years. Their sculptures run the gamut from traditional figures of tribal men and women to very abstract representations. Other Africans use various parts of the tree in folk medicines, the roots being used to treat stomach ailments, and the smoke to treat headaches. It is also used as a fuel wood, burning very hot.

It is also used for marquetry, inlays, knife handles, game calls, pistol grips, pool cue butts, chess pieces, jewelry, and other precious arts and crafts. But its main use is in turning, and it claims the title of the finest of turnery woods, well known as the standard by which other turnery woods are judged. Long a favorite of ornamental turners, the nature of the wood allows very fine detail with sharp cutters, leaving a beautiful, burnished surface. By far most Blackwood is used in the manufacture of turned woodwind instruments such as flutes, clarinets, fifes, piccolos, bagpipes, etc. Its stability, oily nature, resistance to moisture, and lovely tonal qualities make it superior to other timbers.

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African Blackwood
Highland Pipes 14 piece set
 

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Jon Sauer is a well-known ornamental turner
 from California. Among his lathes is an
 18th century Holtzapffel model.
Jon Sauer can be reached at
sauer1031@aol.com

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