Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light to golden brown, with darker stripes. Pale yellow sapwood isn’t always distinct from the heartwood. Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight or slightly wavy. With a fine. uniform texture and good natural luster. Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable; good insect and borer resistance. Workability: Despite its density, Lebombo ironwood works well. However, the wood dries slowly and is susceptible to checking during initial drying. Turns, glues, and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Lebombo ironwood—possibly because it somewhat obscure. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicityand Wood Dust Safetyfor more information. Pricing/Availability: Not commonly exported, Lebombo ironwood is primarily used in domestic applications. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. Common Uses: Flooring, furniture, heavy construction, turned objects, carvings, and other small specialty wood items. Comments: This wood was reported to have been heavily exploited in Mozambique in the past, where it is known as cimbirre. The trees can grow in pure stands, and there are several forest reserves in Mozambique, parts of which are covered completely by Lebombo ironwood. |