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Trade or Common Name: Madero
negro, blackwood, madre de cacao
Local Name: Madero negro
Botanical Name: Gliricidia sepium
Family: Papilionaceae (syn. Fabaceae)
The Tree: In the same family
as Cocobolo, Madero negro is a narrow-crowned, medium-sized or sub-canopy, deciduous
rainforest tree, sometimes reaching 60 feet in the natural rainforest. Madero negro is
leguminous, or nitrogen-fixing.
Status: Originally exploited
for its durability in contact with the soil, Madero negro now occurs only rarely in the
natural forest. It has been planted ornamentally because of its beautiful pink flowers. It
is also sometimes seen in cacao plantations, because its ability to fix nitrogen enhances
the growth of the cacao.
The Wood: Madero negro is
very hard, black or dark brown, with a beautiful small fleck. It turns well and takes a
high polish. Madero negro is very resistant to insects and fungus.
Uses: Because of its strength
and durability in contact with the soil, madero negro was originally prized for corner
fence posts and as supports for houses, but it is now used for its beauty in furniture,
turnery, and artisanry.
Availability: We
have madero
negro trees available only as part of our Premium Mixture.
How to order trees
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