Macassar Ebony

PHOTO
DESCRIPTION	The heartwood is dark brown to black, streaked throughout with bands of greyish-brown, yellow-brown or pale brown. The grain is mostly straight, but may sometimes be irregular or wavy. The texture is fine and even. Weight is about 68 lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	India / Indonesia
BOTANICAL NAME	Diospyrus Celebica
OTHER NAMES	Indian Ebony, Coromandel, Tendu, Temru, Timbruni, Tunki
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	This is an exceptionally heavy, dense, hard wood. The black heart tends to be brittle, and this species is used mostly for decorative purposes, where strength properties are of minor importance.
WORKING PROPERTIES	The material is hard to work with hand or power tools as the wood is of a brittle nature. There is severe blunting of cutting edges. Pre-boring is necessary for nailing and it is difficult to glue. The wood takes an excellent finish.
DURABILITY	Liable to attack by forest longhorn beetles and moderately resistant to termites. The wood is very durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.
SEASONING	The timber is difficult to dry. The trees are usually girdled for two years before felling, and a further six months air drying in plank or scantling and stored under cover. It should be well protected against too rapid drying to avoid checking and degradation. There is very small movement in service.
USES	Selected pieces are used for cabinet work, brush backs, walking sticks, and the sapwood is used for tool handles. Also used for inlay, musical instruments, billiard cues and is excellent for turning.
COMMENTS	Sometimes sliced for highly decorative veneers.