Violinists and other bow-handlers are sounding an alarm over a proposal by Brazil to tighten trade restrictions on the country’s national tree.
The South American country considers the tree commonly called brazilwood to be a gravely vulnerable species that’s in dire need of greater international protection. But some U.S. individuals and companies that treasure bows carved from the uniquely endowed tree contend Brazil’s proposal sounds a sour note.
“This … would have a major affect on our industry with added red tape, documentation and detrimental travel restrictions in these bows that are my business and the very essential element to those musicians that rely on them,” violin shop owner and collector Bruce Babbitt wrote the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Delaware, Ohio, resident is an author of two books printed by the Violin Society of America. Babbitt said he supports some strengthening of protections for the species formally known as Paubrasilia echinata He opposes, however, moving the tree species into a more highly regulated status under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
