Brown Ivory
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Scientific name |
Bridelia Micrantha |
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Family |
Rhamnaceae |
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Other names |
Metacha |
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Distribution |
Mozambique, Tanzania, and South Africa |
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The wood |
Brown Ivory is closely related to Pink Ivory, but more suited for general purpose carpentry. The heartwood in younger trees is yellow to brown in colour, but in older trees it attains a rich brown to red colour. It is hard and heavy, and at 12% moisture content the wood has a density of 1083 kg/m3 (72 lb/ft3). The grain is straight, while the texture is very fine. This lustrous wood, along with Pink Ivory and African Black Wood, is considered a precious wood in Mozambique.
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Seasoning |
Brown Ivory seasons very slowly and needs care to prevent checking |
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Workability |
The wood is easy to saw when dried, and planes so well as to make sanding virtually obsolete. Brown Ivory cannot be nailed or screwed without pre boring, but turns easily, glues well, and takes a high polish and varnish.
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Uses |
Used exclusively for the manufacture of luxury furniture. |
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