Rhamnus Zeyheri (Red ivorywood)

Scientific Name
Rhamnus zeyheri

Trade Name
Red ivorywood

Family Name

Common Names
M’beza, Mnai, Mucarane, Mulatchine, Pau preto, Pink ivory, Red ivorywood, Sungangona, Umgoloti, Umnini

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Carvings, Chessmen, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Inlay work, Interior construction, Joinery, Mine timbers, Paneling , Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer

Environmental Profile

Known to be extremely rare and very difficult to find

Heartwood Color

Yellowish brown, with a rich, golden red cast

Sapwood Color

Grain

A pinkish red striped figure is produced by alternating bands of light and dark colored wood tissue in the growth rings

Texture

Pore structure is described as fine

Luster

Natural Durability

Red ivorywood has very low natural resistance to attack by decay-causing fungi and wood destroying insects

Weathering

Odor

Drying Defects

The wood has a tendency to distort severely if it is not dried with care

Ease of Drying

Requires carefully controlled kiln-drying conditions to prevent excessive degrade

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Size

Product Sources
Red ivorywood is seldom found, and is sold at a very expensive price when available. Although it is called Red ivorywood and Pink ivory on the US market, the species is not related to the Ivorywood from Brazil (Balfourodendron

iedelianum).

Although Red ivorywood is widely considered as a rare species that is seldom used or carried by US dealers of exotic veneers, small quantities are available from environmentally responsible sources within its origin.

Blunting Effect
The wood has medium to severe dulling effect on cutting edges

Boring

Sharp, thin edges and proper cutting angles are suggested for the best results in most machining operations

Carving

The wood is highly favored for small items such as wooden jewelry and chessmen

Cutting Resistance

Gluing

Mortising

Moulding

Movement in Service

Nailing

Planing

A reduced cutting angle is recommended for planing quarter sawn material and cutting edges should be kept very sharp to prevent grain pick-up

Resistance to Impregnation

Response to Hand Tools

Red ivorywood is very hard, heavy, and tough, which makes it rather difficult to work with hand tools. Cutting edges should be kept very sharp since the wood has a medium to severe dulling effect on cutters.

Routing & Recessing

Sanding

Screwing

Turning

Veneering Qualities
Figured Red ivorywood logs are sliced into highly decorative veneers which are used for wall paneling

Steam Bending

Can only be bent to a large radius of curvature

Polishing

Staining

Strength Properties

It is very difficult to find, and is reported to be called the royal wood of the Zulus because of its rarity and its importance in local customs.

Numerical Data

References
Constantine, Jr. A.J. 1975. Know your Woods – A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition, Revised by Harry J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner and Sons, New York.

Kaiser, J. 1993. Wood of the Month: Red Ivorywood – Rarer than Diamonds. Wood & Wood Products, March 1993, Page 30.

Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California.

Rio Rivuma. 1993. Rhamnus zehyeri. On Rio Rivuma Species List September 10, 1993. Rio Rivuma