Pernambuco is a resource that, according to a Smithsonian Magazine article back ca. April 2004 has been subject to a very aggressive conservation program, instigated and pushed mainly by bow makers.

While some pernambuco has been available, the "very good pernambuco" needed for the best bows was virtually impossible to find not too long ago, and it's still not plentiful. Some very fine bow makers were able to keep working using stock on hand "being cured," but replenishment was a problem reaching a critical state.

Better quality new stock is available now than could be obtained a few years ago although it's still a limited supply. Opinion is divided on whether what's available now is as good as what bow makers could get fairly easily a hundred years ago, but it's at least close, and improving.

I had hoped to link to the article, but although Google finds multiple links to it, they all get redirected to the magazine home page (for the current issue) and the link to back issues there has been removed. Only a few very recent issues are accessible. If your library keeps the magazine, it's an interesting piece; as much for the rare existence of an apparently successful conservation effort as for the info about the wood.

John