Tree species
WE PROCESS APPROXIMATELY FORTY TREE SPECIES, INCLUDING OKOUME
ICONIC CENTRAL
AFRICAN SPECIES
Our best-selling timber species include Okoumé and Sapele. Okoumé is one of the main species of tropical hardwood in the forests of the Congo Basin. This exotic wood is relatively uniform in appearance and is a light red to brownish-red colour. It is frequently used to make plywood, furniture, mouldings and wainscoting.
Sapele is another highly rated wood for all sorts of cabinetwork, decorative elements and fine joinery for both interior and outdoor use.
We sell wood sourced from a total of 33 species of tropical hardwood trees harvested in sustainably managed FSC® and Legal Source-certified concessions.
A
African Mahogany
Khaya
A reddish-brown tropical hardwood that’s easy to work with, light and versatile; it’s used for interior fittings as well as exterior joinery and in shipbuilding. (CITES)
Alep
Desbordesia insignis
yellowish-brown tropical hardwood that’s very hard-wearing. It’s employed for industrial uses and outdoor equipment.
Andoung
Monopetalanthus spp.
Pilot trade name used at both operational and sales levels for a number of species mostly used for interior fittings and in the plywood industry.
Angongui
African Teak
Pericopsis élata
(CITES) – yellowish-brown heartwood which darkens to a dark brown upon exposure to light. Light-coloured sapwood which is quite different from the heartwood, close-grained. Uses include: parquet flooring, veneers, furniture, joinery.
Ayous or African Whitewood
Triplochiton scleroxylon
tropical hardwood with a pale, creamy white to light yellow appearance. Its pleasing aesthetics make it ideal for interior fittings.
Azobe
Lophira alata
Dark reddish to violet-brown in colour. Most commonly used for heavy construction work in demanding outdoor environments.
B
Beli
Julbernardia pellegriniana
Two sub-species have been identified: brown Beli (alternating shades of brown), and red Beli (a uniform coppery-red colour).
Uses include: cabinetwork, parquet flooring, plywood, coffins.
Bilinga or Opepe
Nauclea diderrichii, Nauclea gilletii
Very stable, uniform golden-yellow or orangey-yellow with a natural lustre. If used indoors, the wood’s colour will not change. The sapwood is clearly distinguishable from the heartwood. Relatively coarse texture. Also called Badi. Uses include: railway sleepers, hydraulic works (even in maritime environments), exterior cladding, heavy-frame construction, bridges, shipbuilding.
Bossé or Light Bossé
Guarea cedrata
Pinkish-brown tropical hardwood which is a much sought after wood for exterior joinery.
D
Doussié
Afzelia bipiendensis, Afzelia pachyloba
Pilot trade name for several species of the Afzelia genus, tropical hardwoods which are particularly suited to applications requiring strength, stability and durability. (CITES)
E
Eyong or Yellow Sterculia
Eribroma oblonga
Wood that’s creamy-white to pale yellowish-brown with white streaks. Wide wood rays. Waxy feel. Unpleasant smell when green. Uses include: furniture, parquet flooring, veneers, interior joinery.
Ekaba
Tetraberlinia bifoliolata, Berlinia bifoliolata (synonymous), Tetraberlinia tubmaniana
Often mistaken for Andoung, this species may be used for indoor plywood applications, interior and exterior joinery, furniture and exterior cladding.
F
Fraké or Afara
Terminalia Superba
Relatively uniform light yellow-coloured wood with a slightly interlocked grain. Also known as Limba. Plywood, sliced veneers, mouldings, interior and exterior joinery work.
I
Iatandza or West African Albizia
Albizia ferruginea
Yellowish-brown to reddish-brown tropical hardwood used for both interior fittings and exterior joinery and in the plywood industry.
K
Kosipo
Entandrophragma Candollei
Reddish-brown tropical hardwood with purple tinges. Much appreciated in furniture-making. Uses include: plywood, interior and exterior joinery work, sliced and rotary-cut veneers, furniture.
M
Moabi
Baillonella Toxisperma
Interior and exterior joinery work, stairs, furniture, exterior cladding.
Movingui or African Satinwood or Yellow Satinwood
Distemonanthus Benthamianus
Tropical hardwood which is much favoured for use in interior fittings and cabinetwork, especially for the production of luxury furniture items.
Mukulungu
Reddish-brown wood with dark-brown streaks. Well demarcated sapwood, fine texture. Slightly interlocked grain.
N
Niové
Staudtia stipitata
Very durable tropical hardwood, much sought after for many applications: cabinetwork (for the manufacturing of luxury furniture), heavy-frame construction and industrial parquet flooring and even hydraulic works (in freshwater environments).
O
Okan
Cylicodiscus Gabunensis
very durable tropical hardwood suitable for use in environments that are heavily exposed to the elements such as in the construction of bridges, railway sleepers or hydraulic works.
Okoumé
Aucoumea klaineana Pierre
Light salmon-pink to dark pink-coloured wood. Darkens upon exposure to light. Fine to medium texture. Slightly to heavily interlocked grain. Narrow wood rays. Uses include: plywood, furniture, veneers, joinery work.
Osanga
Pteleopsis hylodendron
Brownish-yellow to grey-green-coloured wood. The sapwood is not clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Fine texture. Uses include: heavy-frame construction, exterior joinery work, bridges (in contact with land or water), railway sleepers, exterior cladding, vehicle or shipping container flooring.
Ovangkol
Guibourtia ehie
Durable brownish-yellow to dark-brown tropical hardwood mostly used for cabinetry and exterior joinery.
P
Padouk
Pterocarpus soyauxii
Bright red-coloured wood which quickly turns a brownish-purple shade upon exposure to light. Slightly interlocked grain. Fine texture. Very durable wood which requires no particular preservatives or treatment, making it a more eco-friendly choice. Uses include: parquet flooring, heavy-frame construction, decking, exterior cladding. (CITES)
Pao Rosa
Swartzia fistuloides
Very durable tropical hardwood, pink to light red in colour. It is used by cabinetmakers to make luxury furniture.
S
Sipo
Entandrophragma utile
Browny-red tropical hardwood, much sought after for exterior joinery and cabinetwork applications. It may be used instead of African Mahogany in exterior joinery work.
T
Tali or Forest Ordeal Tree or Red water Tree or Sasswood Tree
Erythrophleum suaveolens, Erythrophleum ivorense
Very durable tropical hardwood which can be used for the construction of wood framing exposed to the elements without the need for further chemical treatment.
