SCIENTIFIC NAME
Diospyros celebica. Derivation: The genus name is Greek meaning "of the God Zeus or Jupiter" and "grain" alluding to the edible fruit. The specific epithet is Latin meaning the plant is "of Celebes", which is now known as Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago.

FAMILY
Ebenaceae, the ebony family.

OTHER NAMES
Indian ebony, camagon, golden ebony.

DISTRIBUTION
Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

THE TREE
Generally, the tree is small, averaging 50 feet in height with a clear bole of 8 to 15 feet. The average diameter is approximately 16 inches. The tree grows in well-drained rocky soil, sometimes near water, but never in swamps.

THE TIMBER
The color of Macassar ebony is black with reddish or reddish-brown streaks. The sapwood is uniform light red. It has a metallic luster. Odor and taste are not distinct. The wood has a fine texture and a straight to wavy grain. Average reported specific gravity varies from 0.60 to 0.80 (ovendry weight/green volume), equivalent to an air dried weight of 46 to 64 pd.

SEASONING
The heartwood is very difficult to season as the wood develops long, fine, deep checks, especially if cut in large dimensions. The best results are reported when the tree is girdled and allowed to stand for 2 years before felling followed by 6 months of seasoning. To prevent end and surface checks, the wood should be protected against drying too rapidly. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 5.4% radial and 8.8% tangential.

DURABILITY
Macassar ebony heartwood is reported to be very durable and resistant to decay. Preservatives cannot be used because of the wood's resistance to impregnation.

WORKABILITY
Working with Macassar ebony is slow, but in spite of the hardness little tool dulling is experienced if correct cutting angles are used. The wood takes a very high finish and turns well. It glues satisfactorily but the wood is too hard to use nails or screws without first pre-boring. The dust of this species can be an irritant.

USES
Uses include musical instrument parts, special fittings on furniture such as knobs and decorative items, inlay work and other applications where accent material is needed.

SUPPLIES
The timber is rare and is one of the most costly timbers on the commercial market. Veneer is more readily available but also costly.

Information from A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Second Edition, James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder, Editors. Forest Products Society, Madison, Wisconsin, 2001.

Photographs from MDArtworks