Tambootie (Spirostachys africana) is, among other things, just fun to say. It's also an adventure to spell. Just a few of the accepted variations include: Tambotie, Tambuti, Tambouti, Tamboti, and Tambooti. Whichever way you decide to spell it, though, you'll appreciate this wood for its rich brown coloring and sweet aroma.

Tambootie is a dense (average specific gravity of about 0.80) and durable wood that's highly prized by carvers and turners, as well as makers of fine furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments.

Tambootie Bowl by
John T. of Maryland

Young Tambootie Trees

A fair amount of oily dust can ensue when cutting or sanding Tambootie, so adequate respiratory protection and good ventilation are a must. Because of the wood's significant oil content, it dries fairly slowly. It does, however, respond well to rough turning and then setting aside for further seasoning. (Note: A coat of PVA wood glue on a rough-turned piece of Tambootie can help even out the drying and also prevent splitting.)

Indigenous to the warmer sections of southern Africa — our stock hails primarily from Tanzania — Tambootie trees are medium sized, growing up to about 50 feet in height with trunk diameters approaching two feet.

A word to the wise: If you ever happen to find yourself in the wilds of southern Africa and in need of campfire wood, steer clear of Tambootie. When burned, the wood gives off noxious fumes that are not only dangerous to breathe, but will contaminate any food that might be cooked over a campfire.