Color & grain

• Heartwood: Ranges from warm gray-brown to reddish-brown to deep chocolate-brown tones, often with purple or dark veins.
• Sapwood: Very light, almost white to cream-colored, usually clearly separated from the heartwood.
• Grain: Very variable – mostly straight, but can also have wavy, flamed or grained structures with attractive color contrasts.

Tree size & wood properties

• Average height: 15-25 meters
• Trunk diameter: 50-100 cm
• Hardness : Janka hardness: ~5,400 N – comparable to oak, but slightly more elastic.
• Weight: Average density, approx. 600-700 kg/m³ in the dried state.
• Durability: Moderate to good resistance to fungal attack and insects, better than American walnut.

Frequent uses

• Furniture: High-quality cupboards, chopping boards, tables, beds and chests of drawers due to their elegant appearance and good workability.
• Veneers & luxury interior fittings: Particularly in demand for exclusive wall paneling, automotive interiors and designer pieces.
• Rifle stocks: Highly valued for hunting and sporting rifles because of their strength and beautiful grain.
• Musical instruments: Used for guitar backs and sides and pianos.
• Art & woodturning: Ideal for carvings, bowls and other decorative wooden objects.