Zebra Wood
Zebra Wood
Quick Facts:
Common Name’s |
Zebrawood, Zebrano |
Scientific Name |
Microberlinia brazzavillensis |
Tree size in length |
65-130 feet/ 20-40meter |
Tree size in diameter |
4-5 feet/120-150 cm |
Average dried weight |
50 lbs per cubic ft/ 805 kg per cubic meter |
Shrinkage radial |
7.6% |
Shrinkage tangential |
10.8% |
Shrinkage volumetric |
17.8% |
Odor |
Has a characteristic, unpleasant smell when being worked. |
Sustainability |
This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. |
General Info:
Heartwood is a light brown or cream color with dark blackish brown streaks vaguely resembling a zebra’s stripes. Depending on whether the wood is flatsawn or quartersawn, the stripes can be either chaotic and wavy (flatsawn), or somewhat uniform (quartersawn)
Grain/Texture:
Has a fairly coarse texture and open pores. Grain is usually wavy or interlocked.
Workability:
The wood saws well, but can be very difficult to plane or surface due to the prevalence of interlocking grain. Tear out is common. Zebrawood glues and finishes well, though a transparent pore filler may be necessary for the large open pores which occur on both dark and light surfaces.
Notes/Comments:
Zebrawood is frequently quartersawn and used as veneer. Other uses include: tool handles, furniture, boatbuilding, and skis. Sometimes called Zebrano, the wood is strong and stiff, with a fairly high density. However, the wood is much more frequently used for its bold and unique striping.