Logwood

Logwood is important for Belizeans. The modern nation of Belize grew from 17th century English logwood logging camps. For a long time it was a natural source of dye, widely used on textiles and also for paper. The dye's colour depends on the mordant used as well as the pH. It is reddish in acidic environments but bluish in alkaline ones. The tree's scientific name means "bloodwood" (‘haima’ being Greek for blood and ‘xulon’ for wood).

Logwood was the first product exported from Belize. But by 1770 there was more logwood in the market than was needed, and the price fell. Later, the development of cheaper man-made dyes in Europe lessened the need for logwood even more. Then here was found an alternative that was more profitable and longer lasting – the export of mahogany. Nowadays Logwood still remains an important source of haematoxylin, which is used in histology for staining, the bark and leaves – in various medical applications.




Logwood has never been popular as timber material – you can hardly find a straight branch. We have really unique masterpieces made of logwood – bed and table in our River View Mini Suite A-2 and chairs in our Jungle Lodge. We have logwood tree growing right in front of Reception entrance.

See more photos of our rooms and territory: http://www.blackorchidresort.com/belize-photos-resort-images