While not yet on the endangered species list, the African Blackwood—or Mpingo, as the natives of Tanzania call it—is considered a threatened species. It is also the most expensive tree in the world.
Mpingo once grew in southern Ethiopia and Kenya, but can now only be found in Tanzania and northern Mozambique. It is a slow-growing tree that survives on little water, doesn’t compete with corn, coffee or bananas and even fixes nitrogen in soil.
A clarinet, sold by Musik Productiv, made of African Blackwood
African Blackwood is harvested for the dense hardwood it yields. The wood, once considered ebony, is primarily valued for use in woodwind instruments. The unsustainability of its harvesting can be attributed to both the tree’s 60-year maturation and the smugglers who illegally transport the wood into Kenya.
The world’s most expensive wood commands a price commensurate with its utility and rarity—$25,000 per cubic meter.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Really?
I wood have thought the “most expensive wood” wood have been John Homes’ (being as he’s now dead — y’know, a real stiff).
I have to admit, although childish, that last comment was pretty comical!
It would be slightly humorous if, at least, you spelled Holmes correctly. (not Homes’) You may find it easier to use his stage name, Johnney Wadd…now that’s funny.
i would have thought lignum vitae to be far more rare and expensive than African blackwood. I know for a fact it was a few years ago.