In regions with distinctive seasons, the wood forms earlywood in the first part of the annual growth phase (spring, summer). The cells are spread out with thin walls and are pale in colour. After this period, latewood forms. Due to the different cell formation, earlywood and latewood in some species of wood are characterised by their differences in colour.

Ebony is the term used to describe the wood of the native genus of Ebenaceae (Diospyros) found mainly in the tropics of East India and Africa with around 120 species. Ebony is often confused with African blackwood (called Grenadilla). Grenadilla however, has a clearly visible structure with black grain on a dark chocolate brown subsurface and is used to make clarinets and other musical instruments.

Macassar ebony (Diospyros celebica; the ebony used at Schotten & Hansen) belongs to the ebony family and is found predominantly in Africa. Macassar shrinks moderately, is a colourful ebony with yellowish white sapwood and black heartwood with very characteristic pale yellow to brown streaked veins running lengthways. Macassar is very dense and colour-fast.

When exposed to air, a particular moisture content equilibrium is reached in the wood according to the temperature and the respective relative humidity. This is not dependent on the type of wood.