Striped by nature, Allen Zebrawood carries its story forward.
Allen Zebrawood
The Story
When I met Mr. Allen, I stepped into a shop full of lumber he could no longer work. Parkinson’s had taken him out of the shop, but his careful inventory remained — stacks of wood gathered over time, each board held onto with the hope it might still find purpose.
Among the pecan, ash, and maple sat something unexpected: Zebrawood. Its bold, striped boards stood out from the rest, a reminder that his eye for good wood reached beyond the familiar Texas landscape.
Rather than see it hauled off or burned, I brought the collection into Salt Shaker Woodworks. For me, working with Allen Zebrawood isn’t just about its dramatic figure. It’s about honoring the stewardship of another craftsman and carrying that story forward in new form.
About the Tree
Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis), sometimes called zebrano, is native to the forests of West-Central Africa, especially Gabon and Cameroon. In its home range, the tree rises tall with a straight trunk that can stretch clear of branches before spreading into a broad crown.
What makes it remarkable is hidden in the heartwood. When quarter-sawn, its interlocked grain reveals bold, alternating stripes of light and dark that look almost painted into the wood. This striking figure gave the species its name and has made it a favorite for furniture, accents, and decorative work.
The tree shown here is simply an example of the species — not the exact tree that supplied the boards from Mr. Allen’s shop.
About the Wood
Zebrawood is instantly recognizable for its high-contrast stripes — light golden background streaked with bold, dark lines that run through the grain. The pattern shows strongest when quarter-sawn, creating the clean bands that gave the species its name, though flatsawn boards reveal wild chevrons and waves that are just as striking.
Dense and durable, Zebrawood machines well with sharp tools and rewards patience with a smooth surface and strong presence. It glues and finishes reliably, often needing no stain since the natural figure is its own decoration. In the shop at Salt Shaker Woodworks, Allen Zebrawood shines wherever contrast matters — in whiskey toppers, accents, cutting boards, and turned pieces that are meant to stand out.
Why It Matters
Every board of Allen Zebrawood carries more than bold stripes — it carries the story of a craftsman who saved it, and the chance for me to carry it forward. When Parkinson’s took Mr. Allen out of the shop, this wood could easily have been discarded. Instead, it was kept safe until I reclaimed it for Salt Shaker Woodworks.
Zebrawood itself is a reminder that nature doesn’t whisper — it declares. Its striking grain turns the simplest form into something extraordinary. Paired with the stewardship of a man who chose preservation over waste, these boards become more than exotic hardwood. They stand as a record of rescue, craft, and the beauty of giving wood a second life.
Made From Allen Zebrawood
Zebrawood whiskey topper — handcrafted with bold natural striping. Available now.
Zebrawood whiskey topper with curved profile — this piece has found a home.
Zebrawood pieces go fast. Of the toppers shown above, one is still available while the other has already found a home — and there are no more in the shop at this moment. More Zebrawood pieces will be coming, and you can also request a custom piece to have one made just for you.