COLOR:  The wood is bronze-coloured, yellow-brown with irregular dark lines which is how the name tigerwood was derived

GRAIN: A mottled, wavy or interlocked, irregular grain.

HARDNESS (JANKA): 1850

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY:

DURABILITY: A highly durable wood with a high resistance to beetle attack.

Goncalo alves (Tigerwood)

Goncalo alves is a hardwood (from the Brazilian Portuguese name, gonçalo-alves). It is sometimes referred to as zebrawood or tigerwood — names that underscore the wood’s often dramatic, contrasting color scheme, that some compare to rosewood.

While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood’s color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.

Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary. All trees grow in neotropical forests; Brazil is a major exporter of these woods.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coula edulis (Tigerwood)

Coula edulis is a tree in the genus Coula, native to tropical western Africa from Sierra Leone to Angola. It is plentiful in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It prefers tropical regions and is tolerant of light shade. It can be found in the top canopy of forest as well as the lower story and has no special soil requirements.

It is an evergreen tree growing to a height of 25-38 m, and has a dense crown that can cast deep shade. The leaves are arranged alternately, simple, 10-30 cm long and 4 cm broad, with an entire margin and an acuminate apex. The flowers are produced from April to June, and are greenish yellow, with either four or five petals.

The nut is an ellipsoidal drupe available from August to January, 3-4 cm long, with flesh surrounding the kernel, 5-6 mm thick, smooth in texture and can be red or green. The kernel shell is extremely hard and makes germination difficult. The nuts are usually found under the mother trees.

Common names include Gabon Nut, African Walnut, Congowood, Tigerwood. It is not related to the Walnut, being so named because its nuts bear a superficial resemblance to the Walnut.

Uses

Every part of the tree is used in both raw and finished states. Its timber and nuts are used extensively. The bark is used locally to produce rinses or enemas for loin pains or kidney problems. The wood is used to make pilings for bridges and railway ties in addition to charcoal and standard construction. It is also used for furniture and cabinetwork construction, decorative veneers, paneling, fixtures and joinery.

The wood is bronze-coloured, yellow-brown with irregular dark lines which is how the name tigerwood was derived. It is extremely hard, heavy, close-grained, and resists water well, making it a valuable hardwood. Increasing that value is the fact that it can come in large sizes, has an attractive appearance and easy to shape with tools. Woods from tropical Africa are coming under export restrictions to curb excessive logging.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia