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Common Name(s): Afzelia, Doussie Scientific Name: Afzelia spp. Distribution: Africa and southeast Asia Tree Size: 80-120 ft (25-37 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 50 lbs/ft3 (805 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .67, .80 Janka Hardness: 1,810 lbf (8,050 N) Modulus of Rupture: 17,740 lbf/in2 (122.3 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 2,094,000 lbf/in2 (14.44 GPa) Crushing Strength: 10,750 lbf/in2 (74.1 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 2.3%, Tangential: 3.9%, Volumetric: 6.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a reddish brown. Well defined sapwood is a pale yellowish white. Color tends to darken with age. Pieces containing pommele or blistered figure are sometimes sold under the name Afzelia xylay, which is a shortened version of the botanical name of a particular Asian species, Afzelia xylocarpa. Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked with a uniform medium to coarse texture; naturally lustrous. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large to very large pores, few to very few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; yellowish brown heartwood deposits present; parenchyma banded (marginal), paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric, aliform (lozenge), and confluent; narrow rays, spacing normal. Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable. Moderately resistant to termites, and variously resistant/susceptible to other insect attacks. Workability: Generally considered somewhat difficult to work on account of its interlocked grain, causing tearout during machining operations. Afzelia also has a pronounced dulling effect on cutters. Gluing and finishing can be variable, and some species contain water-soluble yellow deposits in the pores which can pose challenges in staining or finishing with water-based products. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Afzelia has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as sneezing. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Prices for clear lumber tend to be moderate for an imported hardwood, though Afzelia is more often sold in smaller pieces of figured wood and burls, which are much more expensive. Sustainability: Afzelia is on the IUCN Red List. Depending on the species, it is listed as vulnerable to endangered due to a population reduction of at least 20% to 50% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation. Common Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, veneer, flooring, docks, boatbuilding, exterior millwork and construction, turned objects, inlays, and other small specialty wood items. Comments: Sometimes sold under the name Doussie, Afzelia has been compared to both Mahogany and Teak for its favorable appearance, durability, and stability. For smaller projects, highly figured pieces of Afzelia are popular for a stunning, almost three-dimensional grain effect.

Common Name(s): Sapele, Sapelli, Sapeli Scientific Name: Entandrophragma cylindricum Distribution: Tropical Africa Tree Size: 100-150 ft (30-45 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (670 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .50, .67 Janka Hardness: 1,410 lbf (6,280 N) Modulus of Rupture: 15,930 lbf/in2 (109.9 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,746,000 lbf/in2 (12.04 GPa) Crushing Strength: 8,750 lbf/in2 (60.4 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.8%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 12.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Besides the common ribbon pattern seen on quartersawn boards, Sapele is also known for a wide variety of other figured grain patterns, such as: pommele, quilted, mottled, wavy, beeswing, and fiddleback. Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked, and sometimes wavy. Fine uniform texture and good natural luster. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores in no specific arrangement, few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; reddish brown deposits occasionally present; parenchyma diffuse-in-aggregates, unilateral, and marginal; rays narrow to medium, spacing normal; ripple marks present. Rot Resistance: Heartwood ranges from moderately durable to very durable in regard to decay resistance. Moderate insect/borer resistance. Workability: Sapele can be troublesome to work in some machining operations, (i.e., planing, routing, etc.), resulting in tearout due to its interlocked grain. It will also react when put into direct contact with iron, becoming discolored and stained. Sapele has a slight blunting effect on cutters, but it turns, glues, and finishes well. Odor: Sapele has a distinct, cedar-like scent while being worked. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Sapele has been reported as a skin and respiratory irritant. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Should be moderately priced for regular plainsawn or quartersawn lumber, though figured lumber and veneer can be extremely expensive, particularly pommele or quilted Sapele. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation. Common Uses: Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items. Comments: Sapele is a commonly exported and economically important African wood species. It’s sold both in lumber and veneer form. It is occasionally used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany, and is sometimes referred to as “Sapele Mahogany.” Technically, the two genera that are commonly associated with mahogany are Swietenia and Khaya, while Sapele is in the Entandrophragma genus, but all three are included in the broader Meliaceae family, so comparisons to true mahogany may not be too far fetched. Usually pronounced (sah-PELL-ey) or (sah-PEEL-ey).

Common Name(s): Iroko Scientific Name: Milicia excelsa, M. regia (syn. Chlorophora excelsa, C. regia) Distribution: Tropical Africa Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 41 lbs/ft3 (660 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .66 Janka Hardness: 1,260 lbf (5,610 N) Modulus of Rupture: 12,700 lbf/in2 (87.6 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,360,000 lbf/in2 (9.38 GPa) Crushing Strength: 7,840 lbf/in2 (54.0 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 3.8%, Volumetric: 8.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 Color/Appearance: Heartwood is usually a yellow to golden or medium brown, with color tending to darken over time. Pale yellow sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Grain/Texture: Iroko has a medium to coarse texture, with open pores and an interlocked grain. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large to very large pores in no specific arrangement, very few to few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses common; growth rings indistinct; medium rays visible without lens, spacing wide to normal; parenchyma banded, paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric, aliform (winged and lozenge), and confluent. Rot Resistance: Iroko is very durable, and is resistant to both rot and insect attack; it’s sometimes used as a substitute for Teak. Workability: Generally easy to work, with the exception of its interlocked grain, which may cause some tearout during surfacing operations. Also, deposits of calcium carbonate are sometimes present, which can have a significant dulling effect on cutters. Iroko glues and finishes well. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Iroko has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Iroko can also cause other health effects in sensitive individuals, such as asthma-like symptoms, boils, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Iroko is imported and available for a moderate price. Veneer can also be seen for sale, and is likewise affordably priced. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation. Common Uses: Veneer, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, turned items, and other small specialty wood items. Comments: Given the high prices of genuine Teak, Iroko could be considered a low-cost alternative. The wood is stable, durable, and has an overall look that somewhat resembles Teak.

Scientific Name: Khaya spp. (Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis) Distribution: West tropical Africa Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft3 (640 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .52, .64 Janka Hardness: 1,070 lbf (4,760 N) Modulus of Rupture: 13,190 lbf/in2 (91.0 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,537,000 lbf/in2 (10.60 GPa) Crushing Strength: 7,100 lbf/in2 (49.0 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.2%, Tangential: 5.7%, Volumetric: 10.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 Color/Appearance: Heartwood color is variable, ranging from a very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Quartersawn surfaces can also exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearance. Grain/Texture: Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster with a light-refracting optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy. (See video below.) Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large to very large pores, very few; solitary and radial multiples; orange/brown deposits occasionally present; growth rings usually indistinct, though sometimes distinct due to terminal parenchyma; rays medium to wide, fairly close spacing; parenchyma scanty to vasicentric, and occasionally marginal (not typical for Khaya spp.). Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistance. Workability: Easy to work, glue, and finish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African Mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Readily available in a variety of lumber sizes, as well as plywood and veneer. Prices are low to moderate for an imported hardwood. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation. Common Uses: Veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim. Comments: Comprised of a handful of species from the Khaya genus, all of which are native to Africa. Sometimes lacks the deeper reddish brown color and durability that is common for true mahogany in the Swietenia genus. Botanically, Khaya is a part of the Meliaceæ family, which not only includes mahoganies, but also Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum), and a host of other commercial species. Considered to be a valid substitute for Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), otherwise known as “Genuine Mahogany.” 5- Common Name(s): Bubinga, Kevazingo Scientific Name: Guibourtia spp. (G. demeusei, G. pellegriniana, G. tessmannii) Distribution: Equatorial Africa Tree Size: 130-150 ft (40-45 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 56 lbs/ft3 (890 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .72, .89 Janka Hardness: 2,410 lbf (10,720 N) Modulus of Rupture: 24,410 lbf/in2 (168.3 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 2,670,000 lbf/in2 (18.41 GPa) Crushing Strength: 10,990 lbf/in2 (75.8 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 6.0%, Tangential: 8.2%, Volumetric: 13.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 Color/Appearance: Heartwood ranges from a pinkish red to a darker reddish brown with darker purple or black streaks. Sapwood is a pale straw color and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Bubinga is very frequently seen with a variety of figure, including: pommele, flamed, waterfall, quilted, mottled, etc. Grain/Texture: Grain is straight to interlocked. Has a uniform fine to medium texture and moderate natural luster. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits occasionally present; growth rings distinct due to marginal parenchyma; rays faintly visible without lens; parenchyma vasicentric, aliform, confluent, and banded (marginal). Rot Resistance: Ranges from moderately durable to very durable depending upon the the species. Bubinga is also reported to be resistant to termite and marine borer attack. Workability: Easy to work overall, though depending upon the species Bubinga can have silica present, which can prematurely dull cutting edges. Also, on pieces with figured or interlocking grain, tearout can occur during planing or other machining operations. Gluing can occasionally be problematic due to Bubinga’s high density and natural oils. Turns and finishes well. Odor: Bubinga is reported to have an unpleasant scent when the lumber is still wet, which disappears after the wood is dry. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Bubinga has been reported to cause skin irritation and/or skin lesions in some individuals. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information. Pricing/Availability: Should be moderately priced for an import. Figured grain patterns such as waterfall, pommele, etc. are likely to be much more expensive. Sustainability: Although Bubinga is not evaluated on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the three Guibourtia species yielding Bubinga are listed on CITES appendix II—which also includes finished products made of the wood. Common Uses: Veneer, inlays, fine furniture, cabinetry, turnings, and other specialty items. Since Bubinga trees can grow so large, natural-edge slabs of the wood have also been used in tabletops and other specialized projects. Comments: An immensely popular imported African hardwood, Bubinga may be loved as much for its quirky name as it is for its strength and beauty. Also sometimes called Kevazingo, usually in reference to its decorative rotary-cut veneer. Bubinga has a close resemblance to rosewood, and is often use in place of more expensive woods. Yet Bubinga also features a host of stunning grain figures, such as flamed, pommele, and waterfall, which make this wood truly unique. Bubinga also has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.