Zebra Wood

The sapwood is normally whitish in colour, whereas the heartwood is a light gold-yellow or pale brown, with narrow darker streaks or veins that range from dark brown to near-black. These give the wood the zebra-stripe pattern from which it gets its name. The grain is typically interlocked or wavy, with a medium to coarse texture and a high lustre. The interlocked grain, which is alternately hard and soft, can produce an attractive ribbon figure.

Properties:

Zebrano is a hard, dense and heavy wood with high strength properties and very high stiffness. It is not suitable for steam bending. It works well with hand tools and in most machining operations. Planing can be tricky, since interlocked grain can tear badly, so sanding is advised for a final finish. The wood routs, bores, moulds and mortises well, and gluing is satisfactory if care is taken. Pre-boring is advised for nailing and screwing. If a clear filler is used, the wood can be brought to an excellent polished finish.

Microberlinia brazzavillensis and M. bisulcata (Leguminosae)

Also called:

African zebrawood, allen ele, zingana, ele, amouk, okwen

Weight per Board Foot:

3.8 lbs

Typical dry weight:

46lb/ft3 (740kg/m3)

Specific Gravity:

.74