Shadowtop

The soaring giants of Faerunian forests, shadowtops can grow 2 feet a year and top out at 90 feet. A full-grown shadowtop flares out to a diameter of 10 feet or more at its base, its trunk surrounded by many pleat-like ridges. Shadowtops are named for the dense clusters of feathery leaves at the tops of their trunks. Shadowtop leaves are irregular in shape and have copper undersides and deep green upper surfaces.

Shadow-wood is fibrous and tough, but unsuitable for carving or structural work because under stress it splits down its length into splayed fibers. These fibers are valued in rope-making (a few added to the twist improves the strength and durability of a completed coil) and burns slowly but cleanly, generating a very hot fire, with little smoke. This makes it ideal for cooking.