Ebony trees are mainly found in the tropics. The greatest diversity of species is found in South Asia. These are mostly trees with hard and very heavy wood. The colours of the heartwood range from black through dark brown and red to green. White and multicoloured striped wood also occurs. Ebony trees grow to a height of around 20 metres with a trunk diameter of around 60 centimetres. With a weight of up to 1.4 tonnes per cubic metre (oak: 0.67 tonnes per cubic metre), ebony is one of the heaviest woods in existence.
Ebony is used to make knife handles, flutes, piano keys and chess pieces. Locally, it is also used for house-building. Unfortunately, many species of ebony have been subject to overexploitation. The ebony trees of Java and the Philippines have been almost wiped out. In Madagascar, ebony is still being exploited today.
Distribution
tropical forests, including those in Madagascar
Number of related species
500 species
Use
used to make knife handles, flutes, piano keys and chess pieces; locally also used for house-building
