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Distribution

Equatorial West Africa nl. Cameroon, Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.

The Tree

The tree grows to a height of 18m and has a trunk of 0.6 meters in diameter. The wood this tree produces is the blackest of all timber producing Diospyros species and the heartwood has historically been in extremely high demand.

The Timber

The heartwood is usually jet-black, with little to no variation or visible grain. Occasionally dark brown or greyish-brown streaks may be present. The timber is hard and durable  with very fine pores and it polishes to a high lustre.

Uses

It is used to make sculptures, carvings, pool cues, doorknobs, tool and knife handles, gun grips,   the black keys on pianos, organ-stops, guitar fingerboards and bridges and chess pieces

Density

955kg/m3