African Blackwood

African blackwood is in a class by itself when it comes to the combination of tonal qualities, look, density, and high price. The trees are mostly found in Mozambique and Tanzania, and the wood is generally used for woodwind instruments, turnings, and small pieces of furniture. It's a Dalbergia, which is one of the rarest rosewoods. The logs are often small and have a large hole in them.

African blackwood, also known as grenadillo or mpingo, is a small tree that grows to approximately 25 feet tall and seldom exceeds 40 feet. The tree's fluted trunk makes it easy to spot. It is mostly found in East African savannas. Mozambique is the most abundant source of African blackwood. Guitars and woodwind instruments like clarinets, flutes, and bagpipes benefit from the wood's rich tone. Knife handles, duck calls, and chess pieces are all made from it. Except for the island of Madagascar, the tree is the sole Dalbergia species on the African continent.

African blackwood is a type of rosewood that is extremely dry. It's not like cocobolo, which contains a lot of water. The climate in Mozambique where it grows is quite dry. It's not a shrub; instead, it resembles a larger mesquite tree. Because the permissions to obtain African blackwood in Mozambique and Tanzania became increasingly hard to have, therefore, there are fewer and fewer companies providing that type of wood.