Black Ironwood | Black Ironwood Tree Facts

Black Ironwood

Black Ironwood(Krugiodendron ferreum) is known for its density, hardness, and strength. It is widespread in Southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America.  It occurs in the bush, littoral scrub, and evergreen forest. 

Black Ironwood belongs to the ironwood family. In which all the woods are as hard as iron. All wood species in the family have more than 3,000 lbf Janka hardness. 

It is a small to medium-sized tree with slender branches. Grows well in moist and well-drained sandy soils. 

#Black Ironwood
Scientific Name: Krugiodendron ferreum
Tree Height: 16–33 ft tall
Tree diameter:.5-1 ft (.2-.3 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 84 lbs/ft3 (1,355 kg/m3)
Janka Hardness: 3,660 lbf (16,280 N)
Wood Color and Appearance:Reds, oranges, violets, and browns
Rot Resistance:Yes
Workability:Not good 
Uses:Food, Lumber, Gardens

Black Ironwood uses

Lumber

Black Ironwood is very hard, fine-grained, and heavy. It is widely used for Firewood, veneer, and small turned objects. 

It has the densest wood of any North American three, Mainly is used in making cabinets.

The life span of furniture made of ironwood is about 50 to 100 years. It requires low maintenance.

Black Ironwood Flooring

For strong flooring, hardwood has always been the preferred material. Wood floors are more prone to scratches, dents, and damage from moisture.

But in hardwoods, this is less likely. Black ironwood’s Janka hardness (3,660 lbf (16,280 N)) is very high. Hence it can withstand moisture and scratches with low maintenance.

Ornamental Tree

Black Ironwood is planted as an ornamental plant. It is a dense tree, which is also used for shade. We often find this in parks and gardens.

Food

Black Ironwood trees produce beautiful pink flowers and seeds, both are edible. It is eaten by man and small animals.

Other uses

Shelter for several species of animals and plants

Workability

Almost all species of ironwood woods do not have good workability quality due to density and hardness. There are many difficulties in working with hand tools, but some operations, such as planning, can be done easily by the machine.

During cutting, it is common for the blade to heat up and smell burning. Be careful while working.

Wood Color and Appearance

dark wood furniture
Black ironwood color and appearance

Most species of ironwood are dark brown or almost dark brown. But depending on the climate and location, Black ironwood can be a range of red, orange, violet, and brown. The color of its sapwood is pale yellowish. Sapwood is clearly demarcated from heartwood.

Is Black Ironwood Good for Outdoor Furniture?

Black Ironwood is suitable for exterior above-ground applications. It is very resistant to decay, and also resistant to termites. 

Black Ironwood Tree Facts

  1. Growth rate: Its growth rate is low, it grows about 1 to 1.5 feet per year.
  2. The maximum height of this tree is up to 25 feet.
  3. Both the fruit and the flower grow in the same tree and both are edible.

How Much Does Ironwood Cost?

Black ironwood is a rare and expensive wood species. It is in demand due to its dark color and rich properties.

The price of wood depends on many things. Such as quality, size, and place of purchase. The cost of A-grade wood is always higher than B and C grades. A grade wood is used for outdoor applications as it has good quality.

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