English name: Bubinga,
Latin name: Guibourtia spp. (G. Demeusei, G. Pellegriniana, G. Tessmannii)
Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Guibourtia
Other name(s): Kevazingo
Features: Heartwood ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks. Sapwood is a pale straw color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Bubinga is very frequently seen with a variety of figure, including: pommele, flamed, waterfall, quilted, mottled, etc.
Trees and distribution: Large trees, up to 40m, more than 1m in diameter, distributed in Equatorial Africa.
Material: Grain is straight to interlocked. Has a uniform fine to medium texture and moderate natural luster. Ranges from moderately durable to very durable depending upon the the species. Bubinga is also reported to be resistant to termite and marine borer attack. Easy to work overall, though depending upon the species Bubinga can have silica present, which can prematurely dull cutting edges. Also, on pieces with figured or interlocking grain, tearout can occur during planing or other machining operations. Gluing can occasionally be problematic due to Bubinga’s high density and natural oils. Turns and finishes well. Bubinga is reported to have an unpleasant scent when the lumber is still wet, which disappears after the wood is dry.
Applications: Veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items. Since Bubinga trees can grow so large, natural-edge slabs of the wood have also been used in tabletops and other specialized projects.
