Unknown wood species

[fuzzyturns]

I got some more wood from my tree surgeon friend last night, see picture below. He claims this is blackbeam.

Now here's the question: Has anybody every heard of something called "blackbeam". I first thought it was hornbeam, but he insisted it was black beam. Googling found nothing. According to him, the stuff is hard and blunted a freshly sharpened chain in minutes. And I can vouch that it is heavy.

Any pointers welcome.

[seventhdevil]

leaves and bark would help.

it may well be blackbean (castanospermum australe)


can i have a sample please?

[seventhdevil]

timber description is as follows,

the sapwood is whitish yellow and the heartwood medium to chocolate brown.sometimes with darker streaks. it can darken to black with age. the texture is medium to coarse and the wood has an oily feel. dry weight 44lbft3 tree is up to 100ft and 3-4ft in diameter.


how much do you have?

[seventhdevil]

here is a link to the wood.

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/blackbean.htm

[fuzzyturns]

I found that. However, on wikipedia it also states that blackbean is quite soft, whereas this wood is quite hard. At the moment I only have the one piece, but the tree surgeon has more. I could bring a piece along when I come for some of the boxwood?

[seventhdevil]

get everything the tree surgeon has.

yes we can do swapsies.

don't trust wikepedia.