Trade Names
Zebrawood, Zebrano, Zingana
Latin Names
Microberlinia Brazzavillensis
Origin
West Africa
Range
Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, lower tropical rain forests.
Uses
Primarily sliced veneer, occasionally rotary cut for face veneer, used for furniture, luxury architectural woodwork, today used especially for dashboard paneling in the automobile industry. It is almost always quarter sliced.
Properties
The heartwood is light grey to yellow with distinct dark brown stripes. Greatly resistant to funghi, insect infestation (particularly termites) and the weather. Zebrawood is extremely dependent on fashion trends although it is a very decorative wood. Degrading are the so-called “barbed wire” lines which interrupt the black stripes. These effect the uniform appearance of the veneer.
Machining
The wood works easily with all tools. Knife blades are not dulled by the mineral deposits.
Seasoning
The wood must be very carefully dried at a controlled speed because it is very prone to checking and warping.
Finishing
When free of resin, Zebrawood varnishes and polishes well. The resin content, if too high, should be washed out before finishing.
Jointing
When free of resin, Zebrawood varnishes and polishes well. The resin content, if too high, should be washed out before finishing.