DESCRIPTION, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN & WORKING PROPERTIES: Indigenous to Africa, in the 16th century, it was heavily introduced to Mexico, as well as South America. Our stock is from Central & South America. The sapwood of the tamarind tree is pale-yellow. Heartwood is rather small, dark purplish-brown, very hard, heavy, strong, durable & insect-resistant. Bends well & takes a good polish. It has at times been sold as "Madeira Mahogany". Wide boards are rare, despite the trunk dimensions of old trees, since they tend to become hollow-centered. It yields a charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Young stems & also slender roots of the tamarind tree are fashioned into walking-sticks. BOTANICAL NAME: Tamarindus Indica JANKA HARDNESS: 3000