African Blackwood, scientifically known as Dalbergia melanoxylon, is a small, slow-growing tree native to the dry savannas of central and southern Africa, including countries like Tanzania, Mozambique, and Senegal. It belongs to the rosewood family (Fabaceae) and typically grows to 15–30 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 1–2 feet, often appearing more like a shrub in harsher conditions. The tree is heavily branched, with a rough, dark gray bark that’s deeply furrowed, and its leaves are small, compound, and deciduous, shedding during the dry season.
The heartwood is the prized part of African Blackwood, renowned for its deep, jet-black colour, though it can range from dark purple-brown to nearly black, often with subtle streaks of lighter brown or reddish hues when freshly cut. The sapwood, in contrast, is a pale yellowish-white, creating a stark boundary with the heartwood. The grain is typically straight to slightly interlocked, with a very fine, even texture and a high natural luster that gives it a polished look even before finishing. Its density is exceptionally high, around 1,200–1,350 kg/m³, making it one of the densest woods in the world—harder than ebony and so heavy it sinks in water.
African Blackwood is celebrated for its durability, strength, and dimensional stability, with minimal movement once seasoned. It’s also naturally resistant to wear, insects, and weathering, thanks to its high oil content, which contributes to its smooth, waxy feel. This oiliness, however, can make it challenging to glue, often requiring surface preparation like wiping with acetone before bonding. The wood turns and finishes beautifully, taking a glass-like polish, but its extreme hardness can dull tools quickly, and dust can be an irritant, sometimes causing respiratory or skin reactions.
Its acoustic properties are exceptional, with a clear, resonant tone, making it the premier choice for high-end woodwind instruments like clarinets, oboes, and bagpipe chanters. Beyond musical instruments, African Blackwood is used for luxury turned objects (e.g., chess pieces, knife handles), carvings, and inlays in fine furniture. Historically, it was used by ancient Egyptians for carvings and furniture, and in East Africa for traditional items like walking sticks and ceremonial objects.
The wood has a faint, pleasant scent when worked, often described as slightly sweet or spicy, though not overpowering. Due to overharvesting and slow growth, African Blackwood is considered near-threatened, with conservation efforts in place in countries like Tanzania to manage its harvest sustainably. Its rarity, combined with its unparalleled qualities, makes it one of the most expensive woods globally, often sold by the pound rather than by board foot.