Zebrawood
Microberlinia brazzavillensis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked or wavy grain with a coarse texture. The most distinctive feature is its quartersawn appearance, which produces dark-brown streaks (stripes) resembling a zebra's coat against a golden-yellow heartwood.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light golden-yellow with narrow streaks of dark brown to black. Sapwood is a pale white and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. The wood has a high natural luster and the dark stripes tend to become even darker with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,575 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; rated as durable regarding decay resistance and is also resistant to insect attack, though it is not typically used for ground-contact applications.
Common Uses
Veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, marquetry, inlay, woodturning, and specialty items like tool handles or jewelry boxes.
Geographic Origin
West Africa (specifically Gabon and Cameroon).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $25.00 - $40.00 per board foot, depending on the intensity of the stripes and the width of the board.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears relatively fresh or recently processed based on the lack of significant oxidation of the yellow tones and the sharpness of the saw cuts on the end grain.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of over 20% in the last three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range and exploitation.
Workability
Fairly difficult to work; the interlocked grain often results in significant tearout during planing or surfacing. It glues and finishes well, although its high oil content may require surface preparation before gluing.
Notable Features
Distinctive unpleasant odor when being worked (often described as smelling like wet hay or animal-like). It has high density and a very high strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer are recommended to preserve the color contrast. Using a grain filler is often necessary due to its large, open pores if a smooth, glass-like finish is desired.
Identification Confidence
High; the alternating dark 'zebra' stripes on a golden background coupled with the coarse, open-pored end grain visible in the photo are iconic characteristics of Microberlinia brazzavillensis.