Logwood is a tropical tree of the Americas. It grows in Central America, Mexico, South America, and the West Indies. Wood from the core of the tree is bright orange. When exposed to air, however, it changes to red and finally reddish-black. The wood is very hard and heavy. It is called logwood because it is shipped to market in log form.
Logwood is used mainly to make dyes, stains, and manufacturing inks. By boiling logwood chips in water, workers extract a substance called hematoxylin. This substance forms an orange-red solution with the water. Dyes that are also referred to as logwood can be turned lighter shades of red by adding acids. They can be produced in black or in darker shades of red, blue, or purple by adding alum and alkalis. The dyes are most commonly used on cotton, silk, and woolen goods.
