Black Palm Turning Square

Astrocaryum & Borassus sp.

These are large palms, often up to 70 or 80 feet tall found in Asia, Central America and West Africa. When first felled they are often split into long beams and are used locally for canoes and drums. The wood, especially in older trees, is very hard and durable and consists of numerous fine, black fibers crowded densely together and surrounded by lighter colored, less dense material. The end grain gives the effect of lizard or snake skin. The densest wood is found on the outside of the trees and gets progressively softer towards the middle. Locally it is used for roof beams, bridges, and telephone poles, and is resistant to salt water, termites, and fungi. It takes a fine polish and is used for walking sticks, decorative handles, and boxes.

Item Number: W35943