Cocuswood

English flute
MFA# 1989.204

Northumbrian bagpipes
MFA# 17.1933

Description

A dense, black ebony-like wood obtained from the Brya ebenus trees native to Central America and the Caribbean islands. Cocuswood is a slow-growing tree that has brittle, black heartwood with a fine uniform texture. It is used for inlays, brush backs, parquet, and musical instruments (especially flutes, clarinets, oboes and bagpipes).

Synonyms and Related Terms

Brya ebenus; Cocus wood; cocoswood; cocswood; Jamaica ebony; Jamaica rain tree; West Indian ebony; green ebony; espino de sabana, granadillo,

Cocuswood (Brya ebenus)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Can grow to 20-30 feet with long drooping branches
• Leaves are small and waxy. They are compound but often appear simple.
• Fruits have bright yellow flowers
• Density = 75 ppcf

Resources and Citations

• The Wood Database: Cocuswood

• F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brya_ebenus (accessed October 2020)