Wenge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wenge

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Legumenosae
Genus: Millettia
Species: M. laurentii
Binomial name
Millettia laurentii

Wenge (pronounced "wengay" IPA: /ˈwɛŋɡeɪ/) wood (also known as palissandre d'Afrique/du Congo (African/Congolese rosewood), faux ebenier, dikela, mibotu, bokonge and awong) is a tropical timber of the wenge tree (Millettia laurentii) from Africa. The tree's heartwood is very dark and dense (specific gravity of 0.88) with a coarse grain and a pattern of nearly black grains separated by dark brown grains. Its sapwood is distinct, being pale yellow. The tree is native to the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The trees grow to a height of approximately 20 meters with a trunk of up to 1 meter in diameter. The wood's figure is very distinctive, with a strong partridge pattern; its appearance has gone in and out of fashion.

Contents

[edit] Uses

Alembic guitars of California has used this wood on numerous occasions for custom instruments. Also, Warwick electric basses use it for fingerboards.

The wood is popular in woodturning, especially for segmented woodturning due to its dimensional stability and the color contrast when mixed with lighter woods such as maple.

The wood is sometimes used in the making of archery bows. In particular as a laminate in production of a flatbow.

When used in the flooring industry, it is one of the hardest woods in use due to its high impact strength and durability.

Wenge is also a term used to refer to one of the various colours of the Sony NR series VAIO laptops, defined as a rich brown with copper accents.

In Informatica, the Wenge setting can be used to optimise performance of database extract mappings.

[edit] Endangerment and Status

This species is endangered according to IUCN Red List, Category EN A1cd. Main reasons are destruction of its habitat and over-exploitation for timber.[1].

[edit] Health hazards

The dust given off when cutting or sanding Wengé can cause dermatitis similar to the effects of poison ivy and is an irritant to the eyes. The dust can cause respiratory problems and drowsiness. Splinters are septic similar to the wood of the Chlorocardium rodiei tree which is commonly known as greenheart.

[edit] References

  1. ^ African Regional Workshop (Conservation & Sustainable Management of Trees, Zimbabwe) 1998. Millettia laurentii. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

[edit] Further reading

  • Baker, Mark (2004). "Wood for Woodturners". Sussex: Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications. ISBN 1861083246.