Choosing furniture, decor items, we often pay attention to wood. It depends on how long this or that thing lasts. In some trees (oak, beech, ash) it is firm, stable, in others it is malleable (linden, pine).
But the price of a thing is not always directly proportional to its reliability, functionality. Those who are not used to saving, who bathe in luxury, are usually not practical and are ready to give thousands of dollars to buy things from the most expensive tree species in the world and in Russia.
What is so special about them, why are they so valuable? We’ll talk about this.
10. Grenadil (African Ebony)
For 1 cubic meter of this tree they ask for 10 thousand dollars. Grenadil or african ebony always appreciated because possessed irreplaceable acoustic properties. It was used to make wind musical instruments.
The wood is dense, shiny, its color can be different, from reddish to dark, black. Even in ancient Egypt, this wood was highly valued, cabinetmakers were interested in it.
Once grenadil was used as ballast, it was loaded onto merchant ships. Since this wood was in demand, trees began to be cut down. Therefore, now in Kenya it is threatened with extinction, in Tanzania and Mozambique its quantity has also decreased significantly.
Numerous poachers and smugglers also contribute. Given the fact that the tree grows very slowly, it becomes an adult closer to 60 years, do not be surprised at its value.
9. Agar
This plant has many names: paradise, aloe, agar tree. It has a special, hard wood, greasy to the touch and resinous. It is used as one of the oldest and most expensive perfume ingredients.
Oddly enough, only the wood that was hit by the fungus is valued. In this case, it is poured with dark resin, which has an amazing aroma. This resin impregnation process can last up to several hundred years, but this requires a minimum of several decades.
These pieces of resin wood have always been highly regarded. So, in the treasury of a Japanese emperor, among the treasures, this wood was stored, each of the pieces of which had its own name.
In the east agar used as a smoking substance, used in religious rituals. It was a component of perfume, which only sheikhs and their entourage could afford. A special oil was obtained from it, the secret of which was kept secret for thousands of years. His other name is “liquid gold". It has a unique aroma and is one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs.
Now 1 cubic meter of this tree costs about 10 thousand. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was rarely brought to Europe. Now, due to uncontrolled felling, it is also in danger of extinction.
8. Ebony
This is a special black wood (or black with stripes. The older the tree from which the wood was obtained, the more valuable it is.
There are several varieties of this wood. The most famous- Cameroon ebony, black color. It has one drawback - open pores. Especially valuable moon ebony. The most expensive cues in the world are made from it.
This is a piece of goods, it costs a lot of money. Its cost is also so high because the wood is too dense and blunts any cutting woodworking tool.
Cost ebony may be different, depending on the variety, but on average from 10 thousand per 1 cubic meter. Furniture is made from it, as well as musical instruments. Previously, cutlery handles, door and window handles, and even knitting needles and hooks were made of this wood.
7. Sandalwood
Sandalwood Is a genus of tropical trees from India. Once this country was the main supplier of sandalwood and sandalwood oil.
Now, in order to restore the population of trees, it was forbidden to export all this from the country. Once sandalwood oil was used in medicine, perfumery, but because of the high price (at first it was $ 600 per 1 kg, then the cost increased to $ 1,000), they decided to abandon it, replacing it with synthetic flavors.
Since 1998, Australia has become the main supplier of sandalwood. It costs about 20 thousand dollars per cubic meter.
6. Pink Ivory or Smart
An evergreen, sometimes falling tree, growing up to 15 m in height, can be found in South Africa. it Smart or Pink ivory.
The Zulus called him "royal tree". Until the end of the 19th century, only those who belonged to the royal Zulus family could decorate themselves with products from its wood, all the rest could pay for it with their lives, including strangers.
Valued for its unique wood. It is solid and close in properties to ivory (hence the second name). Expensive items, cues, musical instruments are being made from it. Sculptures, bundles of knives, chess pieces.
Wood is very expensive, about 8 thousand dollars per cubic meter.
5. Backout tree
Wood is particularly durable and hard. Common Names - iron or holy tree. Lignum vitae is heavy wood that sinks in water, it is green with red and black stains.
Things were made of it where the combination of gravity and strength is important: bowling balls, convenient cricket clubs .. The famous watchmaker John Harrison made watches only of wood, and made the most loaded parts from the back-up. There is a whole cathedral built of this tree.
Now felling of this tree is almost not carried out, and 1 cubic meter of a backout costs about 80 thousand dollars.
4. Amaranth
So called wood Peltogyn that grow in america. His other name is purple tree. First amaranth dark brown, but when exposed to air it turns purple. For this color, he is appreciated.
Under the influence of ultraviolet wood again becomes brown. Previously, it was used to decorate furniture, small items were made from it. Now they make amaranth flooring, still furniture, accessories, etc. .. It costs about 12 thousand dollars per cubic meter.
3. Dalbergia
Dalbergia - a genus of woody plants that can be found in Africa, Asia and South America. The wood that is made from it is called rosewood.
His other name is pink tree. Already from the name it is clear that it is pink in color, but sometimes it can be red-brick, or even chocolate in color with dark streaks.
The most expensive parquet and furniture are made from this wood. Often used to decorate cabins, liners and wagons. It is from the rosewood that the keys of the xylophone or other parts of musical instruments are made.
Valuable wood goes to the manufacture of chess, kitchen utensils and canes. 1 cubic meter of this wood costs more than 10 thousand dollars.
2. Bubinga
Other name - african rosewood or waka. Wood bubing very beautiful, because it is dense and hard, with distinct annual rings. It is red-brown, covered with stripes of dark red or purple. It is used to create furniture, table tops for tables look especially beautiful.
An indispensable material for the manufacture of many musical instruments: harp, guitar, because thanks to him, the sound is deep and juicy.
They are used to decorate some cars as a basis for sunglasses. It costs about 19 thousand dollars per cubic meter.
1. Bocote
Other name - mexican rosewood. At bokote greenish-yellow or brown with a golden hue wood with brown or black veins. It has an oily sheen. It darkens with age.
Wood is not durable, but refined. Parquet, high-quality furniture, small turned articles are made of it. Used in shipbuilding, in the manufacture of musical instruments. The price per cubic meter is 33 thousand dollars.