Tambootie - (spirostachys africana) - also known as African Sandalwood, tamboti, tambotie, tambootie or tambuti is a heavy, strong, dense exotic wood. It has an oily nature, making sanding difficult, but does polish well and can be varnished. It is a popular wood for turning and furniture.
Despite its being prone to heart-rot, it is prized in the furniture industry for its beautiful, dense and durable timber, which is reddish-brown with darker streaks, a satin-like lustre and extremely fragrant sweet, spicy smell. The oily timber exudes a white, poisonous latex when freshly cut, and campfires that burn Tambootie fuel give off noxious fumes contaminating meat or other food grilled on the flames or coals. The latex is used as a fish poison, is applied to arrow-tips and is used as a purgative by indigenous tribes.
Tambootie is a hard wood; lustrous and with a powerful, persistent, and pleasant scent sweeter than that of sandalwood. This pleasant odor will last long after the wood is cut. A piece of furniture made of it can scent a large room for a long time. Because of its limited quantities, and the defectiveness of the tree, it is a rare wood and therefore sought for small fancy articles and high grade furniture used mostly for carving, luxury furniture, turnery and curios.
Despite its being prone to heart-rot, it is prized in the furniture industry for its beautiful, dense and durable timber, which is reddish-brown with darker streaks, a satin-like lustre and extremely fragrant sweet, spicy smell. The oily timber exudes a white, poisonous latex when freshly cut, and campfires that burn Tambootie fuel give off noxious fumes contaminating meat or other food grilled on the flames or coals. The latex is used as a fish poison, is applied to arrow-tips and is used as a purgative by indigenous tribes.
Tambootie is a hard wood; lustrous and with a powerful, persistent, and pleasant scent sweeter than that of sandalwood. This pleasant odor will last long after the wood is cut. A piece of furniture made of it can scent a large room for a long time. Because of its limited quantities, and the defectiveness of the tree, it is a rare wood and therefore sought for small fancy articles and high grade furniture used mostly for carving, luxury furniture, turnery and curios.