>How about persimmon? I heard someone say that it is a relative of
ebony
>and has really nice wood. Don't know how fast it grows or whether
that
>is a meaningful idea.
Persimmon has been mentioned as a nice fancy wood, looking somewhat
like ebony, and would be worth growing in a warmer climate. I think that I'm
a little far north for persimmon to survive, although if anyone has any nice
pieces of persimmon (almost any size) that they want to send me so I can try
it out, I am anxious to give it a try.