In the world of luxury home design, nothing quite captivates like Zebrawood. Did you know zebra wood, also called zebrano wood, weighs about 50 lbs/ft³ (805 kg/m³)? Zebrawood features a striking contrast of light golden to rich brown stripes on a creamy background.
This unique patterning mimics the stripes of a zebra, hence its name. Its high density and bold striped pattern make it a top choice for artists and craftsmen. This guide will dive into zebra wood’s unique traits.
Zebrawood, or Microberlinia brazzavillensis, is a stunning hardwood from West Africa’s rainforests. It has a cream to golden yellow base with dark brown to black stripes. That year, 180 pieces were imported. Records show that zebra wood first appeared in British Customs returns in 1773.
Known scientifically as Microberlinia brazzavillensis, Zebrawood or Zambrano, is native to the West African countries of Cameroon and Gabon. It’s almost like woodgrains within woodgrains. Such a specific patterning is the result of the tree's growth rings and vascular rays, quite literally making each piece of zebrawood its own, natural work of art.
African zebrawood, also known as Microberlinia bisulcata, is a species of hardwood tree that is native to West Africa. The tree is characterized by its distinctive striped pattern, which gives it its name. The stripes are light yellow to golden-brown in color and are set against a darker brown background.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Zebrawood features a medium to coarse texture and interlocked grain. In terms of hardness, zebrawood ranks high on the Janka hardness scale, ranging between 1,830 to 2,070 lbf (pounds of force). This places it alongside other popular hardwoods like Hickory and White Oak.
This wood is incredibly durable, with a Janka hardness rating of 1,830 to 2,070 pounds. It’s suitable for a variety of applications where durability is paramount. This wood is not just beautiful but also has a unique texture. It has a coarse finish and can have wavy or interlocked grain patterns.
History and Origin
Zebra wood has a fascinating history that spans centuries. This wood species originates from Equatorial West Africa. Cameroon and Gabon are two of the top exporters of this wood. The Zebrawood we use is quarter sawn. This reveals the most dramatic stripes when compared to plain sawn.
It was first known as “zebrawood” when it arrived in Britain in the 18th century. It came from the Mosquito Coast in Central America. Between 1810 and 1860, it was used a lot in British furniture. In the early 19th century, zebrawood became very popular.
The zebra wood trade history shows it was used in fine goods like musical instruments and car interiors. Brands like Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz used it for luxury. Zebra wood comes from the tropical rainforests of Central Africa. Countries like Gabon, Cameroon, and the Congo are its main sources.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
Zebra wood grows best in tropical rainforests. It’s mainly found in West Africa, like Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon. Knowing where it comes from is key to getting it responsibly. Zebra wood can be found in Central America, Africa, Brazil, the Pacific, and Asia.
It grows tall, up to 130 feet, and has wide trunks. The most known species is Microberlinia brazzavillensis. But, Microberlinia bisulcata is also sold under similar names, causing confusion. Each type has its own look, so it’s important to know the difference.
Since we’re diving deep here, Microberlinia brazzavillensis isn’t the only species of zebrawood (You didn’t think there’d actually just be one right?!). The wood’s other primary counterpart, Microberlinia bisulcata, is just as important. Even though both share that sapwood and heartwood, zebra-like striping, each carry their own distinct properties, from color variations to grain patterns, giving them such fascinating layers to explore!
Physical Properties and Characteristics
Zebra wood is known for its beauty and unique physical properties. The color of zebra wood is light brown or cream, with dark brown to black stripes. Zebrawood features a striking contrast of light golden to rich brown stripes on a creamy background. This makes it look like a zebra’s coat, making it popular in woodworking.
Is known for its unique look and durability. It’s a favorite for many uses. Zebrawood has a medium to coarse texture. Its grain is interlocked or wavy. Zebrano wood is very hard, with a Janka hardness of 1,830 lbf. This makes it durable for furniture and floors. is known for its impressive physical properties.
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
It’s a top choice for many uses. Zebra wood weighs about 50 lbs/ft³ (805 kg/m³) when dry. This shows its high density. is very strong, with a Janka hardness rating of 1,830 lbf (8,160 N). This means it can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Working with zebra wood can be tricky because of its grain. It cuts well, but planning can cause tears. Zebra wood is known for its beauty and strength. But, it can cause allergies and toxicity. Touching this wood can make skin and eyes react. This is because of its rough texture and open pores.
When working with this wood, it’s important to wear protective gear. This is because it can irritate the skin and eyes. Even though zebrawood isn’t very toxic, it’s still important to be careful. Minimizing exposure can help avoid allergic reactions.
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a light brown or cream color with dark blackish brown streaks vaguely resembling a zebra’s stripes. Depending on whether the wood is flatsawn or quartersawn, the stripes can be either wide and erratic (flatsawn), or somewhat narrow and uniform (quartersawn).
Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked and/or wavy; uniform, medium to coarse texture with good natural luster.
Rot Resistance: Heartwood is rated as durable and is also resistant to insect damage.
Workability: The wood saws well, but can be very difficult to plane or surface due to the prevalence of interlocking grain. Tearout is common. Zebrawood glues and finishes well, though a transparent pore filler may be necessary for the large open pores which occur on both dark and light surfaces.
Odor: Has a characteristic, unpleasant smell when being worked.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, zebrawood has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Porosity: diffuse porous; annual growth rings generally not discernible and stripe patterns do not strictly coincide with growing seasonsArrangement: solitary and radial multiplesVessels: very large, very few; brown deposits commonParenchyma: diffuse-in-aggregates, vasicentric, winged, lozenge, confluent, and bandedRays: narrow width, normal to close spacing; rays are generally not visible without magnification
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Zebra wood is known for its unique look and its impact on the environment. It’s listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because its numbers have dropped a lot. The amount of zebra wood available has dropped by over 20% in the last few generations. This is a big problem that needs urgent action.
More people are now thinking about the environment and how to source wood sustainably. Using wood responsibly and following strict trade rules are key. When looking to buy this wood, it’s important to choose suppliers who care about the environment.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range.
However, a closely-related (though lesser-used) species endemic to Cameroon, Microberlinia bisulcata, is also sold interchangeably as zebrawood and is listed as endangered.
Its sustainability depends on its origin and forest management practices. It’s essential to ensure it comes from responsible and certified sources to ensure its sustainability and minimize its environmental impact.
Common Uses of Zebrawood
ZEBRAWOOD: Everything You Need to Know
Is known for its unique look and durability. It’s a favorite for many uses. Zebra wood furniture is loved for its striking look. It makes tables, cabinets, and decorations stand out. It has a long history of making tools and instruments.
It’s strong and looks great, perfect for tool handles and instrument bodies. Zebra wood flooring is beautiful and durable. It’s great for busy areas because it lasts a long time. Finishing zebra wood brings out its unique grain and striking look.
Doors are a popular application for zebrawood because it’s naturally highly weather resistant. We always use solid wood across our product lines--so when you get Zebrawood countertops, they are Zebrawood all the way through. Zebrawood is a highly valued exotic hardwood that is renowned for its durability and eye-catching grain pattern.
Growing in Central African native zebra wood tree (Microberlinia brazzavillensis), this wood is valued for its striking, striped look that replicates a zebra's coat. African zebra wood is an excellent investment for a variety of wood applications due to its distinctive appearance and long-lasting quality.
It is common to find this wood in tables, desks, shelves and decorative furniture looking for a touch of sophistication and originality. Zebrano is often used to make decorative veneers, which are applied to furniture and interior paneling. These veneers take advantage of the wood’s characteristic grain to create visually striking surfaces, ideal for interior design projects.
Due to its exotic appearance and durability, it is used in the manufacture of high-end furniture, decorative veneers, musical instruments, interior trim, and turned objects. Its grain pattern makes it especially prized in decorative applications.
Our Zebrawood is sourced from West Africa and is commonly used in Millwork projects such as furniture, veneers, tool handles, and skis.
Common Uses: Zebrawood is frequently quartersawn and used as veneer. Other uses include tool handles, furniture, musical instruments, boatbuilding, carvings, turned objects, and skis.
Here are some specific applications:
- Furniture manufacturing is one of the most popular uses for zebra wood. Zebra wood furniture is incredibly durable and resilient, guaranteeing strength while preserving a stunning appearance.
- It's a great choice for high-traffic areas because of its resilience to everyday use.
- The strength and tonal qualities of guitar zebrawood give musical instruments a unique tone by enhancing their resonance.
- Its exotic appeal boosts the luxurious design of high-end rooms.
- Whether used for furniture, flooring, musical instruments, or luxury accents, zebrawood is a premium exotic hardwood that provides both durability and elegance.
Working and Maintaining Zebrawood
The right techniques and products keep it looking stunning for years. Many recommend using Waterlox Original Sealer Finish for zebra wood. It highlights the wood’s grain and keeps the contrast with walnut looking great. Some try Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO) and then a lacquer topcoat.
Using wax-free shellac as a sealant before a waterborne topcoat is a better choice. Applying gloss Arm-R-Seal to raw zebra wood works well too. People like Waterlox, especially the original, for their projects. To keep zebra wood looking great, clean it often.
Use a damp cloth to avoid dust and dirt. Re-oiling zebrano now and then is key. To maintain your zebrawood countertops, you'll need to oil them quarterly. You'll also need to clean them with gentle, wood-safe soaps like castille soap. Avoid harsh detergents or abrasive scrubbing powders.
To maintain the beauty and durability of zebrawood, it is recommended to apply protective finishes such as oils or varnishes, especially in environments with high humidity. It is also important to avoid direct exposure to intense sunlight to prevent discoloration.
Maintain zebrawood by wiping it with a damp cloth and avoiding harsh cleaners.
Pricing and Availability
Zebra wood is priced higher than common hardwoods because of its exotic look. The market trends show what affects zebra wood prices. The zebra wood market has seen ups and downs. Demand for sustainable and unique wood products plays a big role.
These lumber pieces vary in size. They can be up to 75 inches long and 6 to 10 inches wide. Compared to other exotic hardwoods, zebra wood is more affordable. Woods like rosewood and ebony can be very pricey.
Custom sizes are available for a minimum of $200. This flexibility is great for different projects. Zebrawood is considered exotic and rare, which contributes to its higher price.
Pricing/Availability: Tends to be available in both veneer and lumber form, with good sizes available. Prices are high, even for an imported hardwood, though not necessarily as prohibitively expensive as scarcer African imports such as Gaboon ebony (Diospyros crassiflora) or pink ivory (Berchemia zeyheri).
Cautions and Considerations
While this may be popular, we wouldn't recommend zebrawood for direct food preparation. One common inquiry among homeowners considering zebrawood is its suitability for cutting boards. This is because the contact the knife makes with the cutting board many times, and zebrawood has a somewhat coarse natural texture.
So a zebrawood cutting board will scratch easily, which is not ideal. We always recommend wood species that can be sanded down ultra-smooth that are naturally food safe. While this may be popular, we wouldn't recommend zebrawood for direct food preparation.
In rare cases, zebrawood may cause skin or eye irritation. However, its open pores can make it less suitable for food-related items. It can be toxic and not water-resistant.
