Blackheart
Pau Santo (Zollernia Paraensis)
Common names: Brazilian Blackheart, Pau-Santo-do-Pará, Coração-de-negro and Muirapinima-preta
Distribution: Brazil, Para, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Mato Grosso States.
Color/appearance: The heartwood color is from green yellowish to dark brow and very black. The Sapwood is white and also very hard. The texture is very similar to Lignum Vitae and is a difficult wood to find. Very stiff and is also very resistant to decay and insects.
Janka hardness: 3280 lbf
Density: 5.85 lb/b.f.
Shrinkage: 1
Radial (thickness): 5.0%
Tangential (width): 9.6%,
Volumetric (total): 14.7%,
T/R Ratio (width to depth): 1.9
Allergies/Toxicity: 1 Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Pau Santo has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Sustainability (listing):
CITES: NO
IUCN: NO
Common Uses: Turned objects, and knife handles. Guitar back and sides, fingerboards, bridges, peg heads, head plates and inlays. Tonal properties: Very responsive and loud tap tone. Ultra bright highs with an overall dense sound. Can be easy to work, slightly hard to bend but finishes extraordinary well.