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Guibourtia arnoldiana
THE TIMBER:
The light chocolate-brown heartwood, similar in color to
European walnut generally has a yellowish or sometimes pinkish
tinge. The sapwood is yellowish-gray and sharply demarcated
from the heartwood. The
figure is highlighted by attractive black striping and this,
in combination with its interlocked and often wavy grain,
gives the wood a great deal of character even though it
is fine textured and very dense. Shedua is strong, superior
to comparably dense Brazilian rosewood in bending strength,
elasticity and crushing strength.
WORKABILITY:
European references cite this species as a substitute for walnut, but in the opinion of others, it would be better to think of it as a "poor man's rosewood". Its
finer texture is somewhat comparable to Honduras rosewood. Shedua lacks the luster and fragrant scent of rosewood, but under a varnished surface this point is mute.
Shedua's interlocked wavy grain and rosewood-like black striping make it very eye pleasing. Given its density, however, there is no charitable way to describe
shedua as a pleasant wood to work. While its fine texture suggests it would be a good candidate for turning, this is offset by the somewhat high risk of chipping caused by the
interlocked grain and the fact that it is far less stable than its rosewood counterparts.
USES:
Uses include decorative veneer, flooring, furniture and turnery. |
