Leadwood
Sometimes a shrub, but most frequently, a small to large tree, 20 – 50 feet in height and occurring at medium to low altitudes, in mixed woodlands, often along rivers or dry watercourses. Bark is dark grey to almost black and rough, with characteristic deep longitudinal furrows, and irregular traverse cracks. The heartwood is dark in colour and extremely hard, heavy and durable. The average weight 78 cubic foot, making it one of the heaviest woods on earth. The wood is so heavy, it does not float in water!
The wood is difficult to work with, rapidly blunting and breaking tools. However it turns well and has been used for ornaments. The wood is so hard, Africans made blades for their hoes from it before metal became available. The Leadwood tree is native to Africa.
A leadwood tree can live to be up to 1,000 years old and is a protected species. Only dead or fallen trees are used to carve unique bowls and ornaments, which are both functional, and decorative. Each piece is selected, carved, sanded, and sealed with either a poly-lacquer or wax finish.