| African blackwood | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Dalbergia |
| Species: | D. melanoxylon |
| Binomial name | |
| Dalbergia melanoxylon | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Dalbergia melanoxylon (African blackwood,grenadilla, ormpingo) in FrenchGrenadille d'Afrique is aflowering plant in the subfamilyFaboideae of the familyFabaceae, native to seasonally dry regions ofAfrica fromSenegal east toEritrea, to southern regions ofTanzania toMozambique and south to the north-eastern parts ofSouth Africa. The tree is an importanttimber species in its native areas; it is usedin the manufacture of musical instruments,[3] sculpturesvinyago in Swahili language and fine furniture. Populations and genomic resources for genetic biodiversity maintenance in parts of its native range are threatened byoverharvesting due to poor or absent conservation planning and by the species' low germination rates.[3]
African blackwood is a smalltree, reaching 4–15 m tall, with greybark andspiny shoots. Theleaves aredeciduous in thedry season, alternate, 6–22 cm long, pinnately compound, with 6–9 alternately arranged leaflets. Theflowers are white and produced in dense clusters. Thefruit is apod 3–7 cm long, containing one to twoseeds. It is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world.[citation needed]
The dense, lustrouswood ranges in colour from reddish to pure black. It is generally cut into small billets or logs with its sharply demarcated bright yellow-white sapwood left on to assist in the slow drying so as to prevent cracks developing. Good quality "A" grade African blackwood commands high prices on the commercial timber market. The timber is used mainly because of its machinability, density, dimensional stability, and moisture repellence. Those properties are particularly valued when used in woodwind instruments, principallyclarinets,oboes,transverse flutes,piccolos,recorders,Highland pipes, andNorthumbrian pipes.[4][unreliable source?] TheDeering Banjo Company uses blackwood ("grenadilla") to construct the tone ring in its John Hartford-model banjo because it weighs less than brass or bronze tone rings, and that the wood "plays in" (improves in tone) with use. Furniture makers fromancient Egypt on have valued this timber. A story states that it has even been used as ballast in trading ships and that some enterprising Northumbrian pipe makers used old discarded blackwood ballast to great effect. The German knife companiesWüsthof,Böker andJ. A. Henckels sell knives with blackwood handles due to the wood's moisture repellent qualities.
Due to overuse, the mpingo tree is severely threatened in Kenya and is needing attention in Tanzania and Mozambique. The trees are being harvested at an unsustainable rate, partly because of illegal smuggling of the wood into Kenya, but also because the tree takes upwards of 60 years to mature.
African blackwood is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world, along withsandalwood,pink ivory,agarwood andebony.[5][6]
In woodturning, African Blackwood can maintain a fine edge without splintering due to its hardness and density, though it dulls tools considerably faster than other woods. While being turned, it creates a sweet, rose-like aroma.
Other names by which the tree is known includebabanus andgrenadilla, which appear asloanwords in various local English dialects.
There are multiple organisations involved in the conservation of African blackwood: the Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative, the African Blackwood Conservation Project, and Daraja Music Initiative (formerly Clarinets for Conservation).
TheMpingo Conservation & Development Initiative (MCDI, formerly the Mpingo Conservation Project) is involved in research, awareness raising and practical conservation of African blackwood. Conservation of mpingo and its natural habitat can be achieved by ensuring that local people living in mpingo harvesting areas receive a fair share of the revenue created, thus providing them with an incentive to manage the habitat in an environmentally friendly manner. In order to achieve this, the MCDI is helping communities to get Forest Stewardship Certification.[8]
TheAfrican blackwood Conservation Project works aroundMount Kilimanjaro replanting African blackwood trees, and in conservation education. It also works with adult and women's groups in the promotion of environmentally sound land uses.[9]
Daraja Music Initiative (formerly Clarinets for Conservation) is a U.S.-based non-profit that aims to raise awareness and promote conservation of mpingo through music education in Tanzania. Students participate in an interdisciplinary program during the summer months that raises awareness of the value of mpingo through musical performances, classroom instruction, and tree plantings at local secondary and primary schools.[10]
Small growers inNaples, Florida have been successful in growing African blackwood there. Growth habit in Florida yields taller, larger trees, and the rich soil combined with ample nutrients and long growing season yields timber of superior quality at more sustainable rates.[11][12]
