Uses
– African blackwood is used in the manufacture of musical instruments such as clarinets, oboes, flutes, and pipes.
– It is also used in the production of sculptures and fine furniture.
– The Deering Banjo Company uses blackwood to construct the tone ring in its banjos.
– German knife companies sell knives with blackwood handles due to its moisture repellent qualities.
– It is valued by furniture makers and has been used as ballast in trading ships.
Relation to other woods
– African blackwood is distinct from ebony, which is a different timber yielded by the genus Diospyros.
– Ebony has a matte appearance and is more brittle compared to African blackwood.
Names
– African blackwood is known by other names such as babanus and grenadilla in various local English dialects.
Conservation
– Multiple organizations are involved in the conservation of African blackwood, including the Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative and the African Blackwood Conservation Project.
– The Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative focuses on research, awareness raising, and practical conservation of African blackwood.
– The African Blackwood Conservation Project works on replanting African blackwood trees and conservation education.
– The Daraja Music Initiative promotes conservation of mpingo through music education in Tanzania.
– Small growers in Naples, Florida have successfully grown African blackwood, providing a more sustainable source of timber.
– The conservation status of African blackwood is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
Footnotes
– Genetic diversity in African blackwood populations has been evaluated using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers.
– African blackwood is considered one of the most expensive woods in the world.
– Various sources provide information on the conservation and uses of African blackwood.
– The Mpingo Conservation Project in Tanzania and the Global Trees organization also provide resources on African blackwood. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalbergia_melanoxylon
