Zebrawood
Microberlinia brazzavillensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with a prominent striped figure; rift-sawn and quarter-sawn surfaces show the characteristic dark brown or black stripes against a lighter background.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light golden-yellow to cream color with narrow steaks of dark brown to black. Sapwood is pale white and clearly demarcated. It may darken slightly over time but maintains high contrast.
Hardness Rating
1,575 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; heartwood has good resistance to termites and insects, though it is only moderately resistant to wood-rotting fungi.
Common Uses
Veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, luxury car interiors, tool handles, turning, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
West Africa (primarily Cameroon and Gabon)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 to $40.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh cut or recently surfaced; the crispness of the grain and lack of deep oxidation or graying suggest a modern sample rather than an antique piece.
Sustainability Status
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List); not currently CITES listed but threatened due to habitat loss and logging pressure.
Workability
Difficult due to interlocked grain which often causes significant tearout during planing; can dull cutters due to its density; glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive unpleasant odor when being worked (resembling wet hay or animal dung); high silica content; high weight; striking visual contrast.
Finish Recommendations
High-gloss finishes like lacquer or polyurethane best accentuate the chatoyance and grain; sanding to a high grit and using a grain filler is recommended to achieve a smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the 'zebra-stripe' appearance created by the dark growth rings/interlocked grain on a cream background is highly diagnostic and unique to this species.