Bubinga is a hard wood, in the Leguminosae family. Its scientific name is, Guibourtia tessmannii. It grows in Equatorial Africa from Southeast Nigeria, through Cameroon and Gabon to the Congo region. Bubinga grows in swampy or periodically inundated forests, also near river or lakeshores. Bubinga trees are fairly big, with a height of 130 to 150 ft and trunk diameters of 3 to 6 ft.
Bubinga heartwood can be pink, vivid red, or red brown with purple streaks or veins, on exposure becomes yellow or medium brown with a reddish tint, veining becomes less conspicuous; sapwood whitish and clearly demarcated. Bubinga has a fine and even texture, with straight or interlocked grain. Bubinga is lustrous and sometimes highly figured. It has an unpleasant odor when first cut which disappears after it has been dried.
Bubinga is some times referred to as African Rosewood, though it is not a dalbergia (rosewood). It is a little heavier and harder than the dalbergia woods.
Bubinga, though very hard is reported to work well, with the exception of gum pockets? It takes a fine lustre and finishes well.
I heard somewhere it hit somewhat like Mexican Bocote.
As always, it is the comments, questions and sharing of photos that make each of these interesting, so please feel free to share.
Tracy
Bubinga heartwood can be pink, vivid red, or red brown with purple streaks or veins, on exposure becomes yellow or medium brown with a reddish tint, veining becomes less conspicuous; sapwood whitish and clearly demarcated. Bubinga has a fine and even texture, with straight or interlocked grain. Bubinga is lustrous and sometimes highly figured. It has an unpleasant odor when first cut which disappears after it has been dried.
Bubinga is some times referred to as African Rosewood, though it is not a dalbergia (rosewood). It is a little heavier and harder than the dalbergia woods.
Bubinga, though very hard is reported to work well, with the exception of gum pockets? It takes a fine lustre and finishes well.
I heard somewhere it hit somewhat like Mexican Bocote.
As always, it is the comments, questions and sharing of photos that make each of these interesting, so please feel free to share.
Tracy
