Bubinga

Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.)

Common Name(s): Bubinga Scientific Name: Guibourtia spp. (G. demeusei, G. pellegriniana, G. tessmannii, etc.) Distribution: Equatorial Africa Tree Size: 130-150 ft (40-45 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 58 lbs/ft3 (925 kg/m3) Basic Specific Gravity: .72 Hardness: 2,610 lbf (11,610 N) Bending Strength: 25,100 lbf/in2 (173,100 kPa) Elasticity: 2,717,000 lbf/in2 (18,740 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 5.8%, Tangential: 8.4%, Volumetric: 13.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

Color/Appearance: Heartwood ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks. Sapwood is a pale straw color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.

Grain/Pore: Has a very fine texture and small pores. Grain is often interlocked. Bubinga is very frequently seen with a variety of figure, including: pommele, flamed, waterfall, quilted, mottled, etc.

Durability: Ranges from moderately durable to very durable depending upon the the species. Bubinga is also reported to be resistant to termite and marine borer attack.

Workability: Easy to work overall, though depending upon the species Bubinga can have silica present, which can prematurely dull cutting edges. Also, on pieces with figured or interlocking grain, tearout can occur during planing or other machining operations. Gluing can occasionally be problematic due to Bubinga’s high density and natural oils. Turns and finishes well.

Smell: Bubinga is reported to have an unpleasant scent when the lumber is still wet, which disappears after the wood is dry.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Bubinga has been reported to cause skin irritation and/or skin lesions in some individuals. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Should be moderately priced for an import. Figured grain patterns such as waterfall, pommele, etc. are likely to be much more expensive.

Comments: Bubinga has a close resemblance to rosewood, and is often use in place of more expensive woods. Yet Bubinga also features a host of stunning grain figures, such as flamed, pommele, and waterfall, which make this wood truly unique. Bubinga also has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.

Common uses for Bubinga include: veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items. Since Bubinga trees can grow so large,  natural-edge slabs of the wood have also been used in tabletops and other specialized projects.

Related Species:

• Ovangkol (Guibourtia ehie)
• Tiete Rosewood (Guibourtia chodatiana)

Scans/Pictures:

Bubinga (sanded)

Bubinga (sealed)