When Taylor Guitars acquired an ebony mill in Cameroon to supply wood for their renowned acoustic guitars, owner Bob Taylor wanted to give back by planting new trees, even knowing they could take 60–200 years to grow. But scientists knew surprisingly little about the trees—not how many there were, how long they lived or even how to grow one, despite a 200-year history of craftsmen using the wood for piano keys and fretboards for guitars, violins and other stringed instruments.