Have you ever heard of the material Zebrano? You've probably heard of it by another name, Zebrawood. The former is a type of wood that is derived from a variety of tree species. The question remains, however, as to why it is so unique. It is well-known for its stripes. They range in colour from dark brown to black and are reminiscent of African zebras. Zebrawood, like the others, is widely and excessively used by many people.

Where does it come into play? We'll go over that in more detail later. But we can safely say that it can be found all around you! From furniture to sunglasses, Zebrawood has carved out its own niche and entered a variety of industries, including fashion! In our specific guide, here's what you need to know about Zebrawood:

Zebrawood's Brief History

Are you as curious as we are about the origins of Zebrawood? This one is for all you history buffs out there. To begin with, the name was originally applied to wood derived from the Astronium Graveolens tree species. The former is a large Central American tree.

Now for the real deal: how did Zebrawood become famous? Zebrawood was introduced to the world when British custom returned in 1773. 180 pieces of Zebrawood were imported from the Mosquito Coast that year. To avoid going into too much detail, it was a British colony at the time. These countries are now known as the Republic of Honduras and Nicaragua.

"The species of zebra wood present esteem among the cabinet-makers, it is brought to Jamaica from the Mosquito shore; it is of a most lovely tint, and richly veined," Edward Long writes in his book History of Jamaica. Following that, the Mosquito Coast exported Zebrawood on a regular basis until the subsequent expulsion of British settlers from this portion of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and the London Convention. The Anglo-Spanish Convention was another name for this.

Where Can We Purchase Zebra Wood?

Zebra Wood is derived from which tree? Where can we locate it? As previously stated, Zebrawood is an exotic wood that grows primarily in central West Africa. It grows in the tropical rainforests of Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon. In the twentieth century, however, Microberlinia Brazzavillensis was the primary and most common source of Zebrawood. The Zebrano tree is a Central African native. African Brachystegia Spiciformis, Brazilian Astronium Fraxinifolium, Pacific Guettarda Speciosa, and Asian Pistacia Integerrima are some other sources.

Furthermore, Zebrawood grows extremely quickly. They usually grow in pure stands, but they can also be found growing along riverbanks and streams in both inland rainforests and coastal areas. The bad news is that they are now extremely difficult to find due to Zebrawood's endangered status. Although reforestation is taking place in some parts of the world, Zebrawood harvesting continues.

Zebrawood Characteristics

This is our favourite section. Zebrawood, as you may have noticed, has appealing zebra-like appearances. It has a cream to golden yellow background with thin blinking dark and light stripes. Originally, the colour stripes ranged from dark brown to black. Furthermore, it is a relatively heavy wood, weighing in at around 48 lbs/cu. ft. It has a coarse texture, open apertures, and a wavy to interlocked grain shape.

Zebrawood is a highly regarded wood due to its hardiness, stiffness, crushing strength, and density. Unfortunately, due to its low insect resistance, it is not regarded as one of the most durable woods. However, here are some additional characteristics of dark Zebra wood that you may not be aware of:

1. Color and Appearance: As previously stated, Zebrawood has a cream or light brown colour with dark to black-ish brown lines that resemble zebra stripes. The lines could be wavy or straight. The situation varies according to whether the wood is flatsawn or quartersawn.
2. Texture and Grain: Many people are interested in the grain of zebra wood. As a result, this wood is usually wavy and/or interlocked. It also has a fairly coarse surface and open pores.
3. Resistance: Zebrawood is a long-lasting and resistant wood.
4. Workability: Because of the interlocking grain, it may be difficult to plane or surface the wood. Furthermore, this wood glues and finishes beautifully. A transparent pore filler, on the other hand, may be required for the large open pores visible on both light and dark surfaces.
5. Smell: When zebrawood is being worked on, it is known to emit an unpleasant odour.
6. Price and Availability: When compared to other common woods, Zebrawood is more expensive, but not as expensive as other exotic woods such as Rosewood or Ebony Wood.

Toxicity and allergies

Although severe reactions are uncommon, Zebrawood has been identified as a sensitizer. Eye and/or skin irritation are two of the most common reactions.

Using these tools, you can take several safety precautions in this regard:

1. Dust mask
2. Respirator
3. Air filter
4. Power respirator
5. Air exhaust

Remember that these safety precautions are dependent on the tools you use and the type of work you will be doing with the wood itself.

Is Zebrawood Recyclable?

The CITES Adjuncts list does not include zebrawood. Nonetheless, according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), this wood is vulnerable due to a 20% population decline in the last three generations, which has been exacerbated by a decline in its natural range. Other tree species, such as Microberlinia Bisulcata, are also listed as critically endangered.

Zebrawood Characteristics

The blinking dark and light stripes of zebrawood produce alternating soft and hard material. When machining, variations in density and structure may cause some woodworking issues. It saws easily with hand tools and power tools. However, because of the tearing, making a wood plane may become difficult, especially with interlocked grain patterns.

Zebrawood is a very decorative wood that is frequently used for carvings. Furthermore, it holds fastenings securely. However, pre-drilled holes are required. Sanding is not required, and Zebrawood readily accepts most glue types. Before staining or finishing, open pores must be filled with paste wood filler. Although zebrawood accepts finishes well and can be polished to a high shine, it is not recommended for painting.

What is the Purpose of Zebra Wood?

Zebrawood is a lovely and intriguing wood. It's usually quarter sawn and used as a coating or layer. Zebrano is widely used for a variety of purposes due to its distinctive and eye-catching stripes. So, where can we catch a glimpse of Zebrawood? It is a visually appealing material that is frequently used to contrast with other types of wood.

Zebrawood's applications range from beautiful mid century furniture and furniture trim to zebra wood table, millwork, boatbuilding, panelling, guitars, and other string instruments. Zebrawood can also be used to make knife handles, skis, platters, handgun stocks, and woodenware. Zebrawood's distinct appearance makes veneers, cross bandings, and inlays for marquetry desirable. Furthermore, zebrawoods can be used to make a variety of items such as bowls, fancy pens, and novelties.

Furthermore, this material has conquered the fashion world! In our case, you can bet it'll be sunglasses. We enjoy working with Zebrawood in the production of. This eye-catching wood with light and dark zebra-like stripes is ideal for an enticing pair. When Zebrawood is used for the temples of wooden sunglasses, it creates a visually appealing contrast and adds an exceptionally beautiful touch to the overall look.