African TIMBER SPECIES

The African continent is home to some of world’s most beautiful exotic hardwoods, it is for this reason OPS has worked over a long period to establish supply partners in this region.

REGION SEARCH

Afromosia

Afrosersalisia afzelii

Description: Heartwood is yellowish brown, occasionally with a reddish or olive-colored hue, darkening with age. Narrow sapwood is pale yellow and is clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Rated as very durable, with good insect/borer resistance.

Grain is usually straight, though it can be interlocked. With a fine, uniform texture and good natural luster.

Products Available: Logs, sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Boatbuilding, veneer, flooring, and furniture.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium

Agba

Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum

Description: Agba heartwood is yellowish to pinkie-brown when first cut, but darkens to a brick red on exposure to light and air. The wood has a fine, even texture and is highly glossy, with some similarities to mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla).

Products Available: KD Sawn Timber

Applications: Agba is suitable for use in construction elements, like interior and exterior joinery, boatbuilding, shopfitting, flooring, paneling, furniture, moldings, coachwork, coffins, laminated frameworks, and turnery.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class3
Durability In Ground	Class3

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Agba (Gossweilerodendron Balsamiferum) Sawn Timber VIEW

Azobe / Ekki

Lophira Alata

Description: Azobe is firm and heavy, being amongst the hardest usable woods in the world, and is largely impervious to the effects of insects and weather. Heartwood is a dark reddish or violet-brown. Pores contain light-colored mineral deposits which form small but conspicuous streaks throughout the wood. Azobe is said to be the hardest industrially used wood in the world.

Products Available: Squared logs or large sawn sections ready for final processing. Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Bridges, sluices, railway carriage construction and shipbuilding, bogmats, acid vats, decking, highly stressed structures, e.g. bearing shells in mechanical engineering. Azobe / Ekki properties make it a perfect material for heavy construction or other uses where great strength and durability are needed.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Azobe / Ekki (Lophira alata) VIEW

Beli

Julbernardia pellegriniana

Description: Freshly sawn Beli has a brown color. The alternate darker and lighter streaks result in a decorative and regular pattern on the quartered surface. The 100-150 mm wide sapwood is lighter and easy to distinguish from the heartwood.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: The decorative Beli is mainly used for interior applications, for example for cabinetwork, stairs, flooring, moldings, furniture, and paneling. The wood can also be used for exterior applications, like decking and facades.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class3
Durability In Ground	Class3

Bilinga

Nauclea diderrichii

Description: Bilinga has impressive strength properties and high levels of fungal resistance. It is therefore especially suitable as a solid wood for highly stressed components in outdoor construction where subsequent fine cracks are not an impairment.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Application areas – Sleepers, poles, industrial or heavy flooring, cabinetwork (high-class furniture), sliced veneer, exterior paneling, Interior paneling, Shipbuilding (planking and deck), interior joinery, bridges (Parts not in contact with water or ground).

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class2

Bubinga

Copaifera Salikounda

Description: An immensely popular imported African hardwood. Bubinga has a close resemblance to Rosewood, and is often used in place of more expensive woods.
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.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: 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.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Iroko

Milicia Excelsa / Chlorofora Excelsa

Description: Iroko has excellent strength properties, comparing well with teak, though weaker in bending and in compression along the grain. Iroko is very durable, and is resistant to both rot and insect attack; it’s sometimes used as a substitute for Teak.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Because of its stability, durability, and strength, Iroko wood is very versatile. It is used for door and window frames, windows, interior cladding, staircases, doors, façades, park benches, furniture, and parquet floors.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Mahogany

Khaya Ivorensis

Description: The name African mahogany covers all species of Khaya, although their timbers vary somewhat in character, particularly in weight. The bulk of the timber shipped is produced by Khaya ivorensis and Khaya anthotheca, each with moderately lightweight, pale to medium-red wood, and it is timber of this type which is accepted commercially as African mahogany.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Fiji Mahogany (Swietenia Macrophylla) VIEW

Makore

Tieghemela heckellii

Descriptions: Makore is a stunning hardwood, with a beautiful, natural gloss. The heartwood of Makore can vary from pink to rich red-brown, or from pinkie-red to blood-red. Grain is generally straight, though interlocked or wavy grain is sometimes present. Fine, even texture with good natural luster. Heartwood is very durable and is also resistant to insect attack.

A valued commercial redwood of good durability and strength.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class2

Niangon

Heritiera utilis

Description: Niangon, is a tropical hardwood species native to West Africa. It is known for its excellent durability, strength, and stability. The wood has a high density, making it very resistant to rot, decay, and insect attack. Its natural color ranges from yellow to pale brown, and it has a medium to coarse texture.

The wood is also highly resistant to warping and splitting, making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications. Additionally, Niangon is a great choice for furniture and other high-end woodworking projects due to its stability and beautiful finish.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Furniture exterior joinery, window frames, doors, drawer sides, boat construction, vehicle bodies, and furniture

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1

Niove

Staudtia kamerunensis

Description: Freshly sawn Niove has an orange-brown colour which darkens to red-brown after exposure to strong sunlight. Niove wood has a straight grain and a fine texture. Despite its high density, Niove is easy to machine. Pre-drilling is recommended. Niove is one of the wood species that dry very slowly, and it is hardly affected by deformation at all.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, cabinetwork (high-class furniture), windows, doors

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class2
Durability In Ground	Class3

Okan

Cylicodiscus Gabunensis

Description: Freshly sawn Okan has a yellow to golden yellow color, with a (dark) green/olive green shade. After exposure, the wood darkens to red-brown, often with a coppery glow. As a result of the dark-colored edges, the growth rings can be clearly seen on the crosscut surface.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: thanks to its durability, Okan is used in all kinds of hydraulic constructions, like bridges, decking, sheet pilings, jetties, sound barriers, stables, and piles.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Okoume

Aucoumea klaineana

Description: Heartwood ranges from pale pink to light brown. Color darkens with age. Narrow heartwood is grayish-white, not clearly demarcated from heartwood.

Products Available: Veneer, plywood, sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, plywood, boatbuilding, musical instruments, furniture, and interior millwork.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light reds
AD Density - KG/M3	< 480 very soft
Hardness Janka kN	<4 - soft
Durability Above Ground	Class4
Durability In Ground	Class4

Padauk

Pterocarpus soyauxii

Description: Color/Appearance: Heartwood color can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown.

Has excellent decay resistance, and is rated as durable to very durable. Padauk is also reported to be resistant to termites and other insects.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Sapele

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

Description: Sapele is one of the most valuable wood species, its trunk grows very straight and cylindrical.
Sapele heartwood takes on a deep, red-brown colour when exposed to light. The grain is straight to irregular. Sapele is easy to work and has a medium coarse texture.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Sapele is ideal for the production of door and window frames. Sapele is also widely used to manufacture and produce furniture, stairs, parquet floors, and façades.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class2

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Sapele (Entandrophragma Cylindricum) Sawn Timber VIEW

Spanish Cedar

Cedrella odorata

Description: Heartwood is a relatively uniform light pinkish to reddish brown; colors tend to darken with age. Spanish Cedar ranges from durable to moderately durable regarding decay resistance, and is also resistant to termite attack; the wood is also reported to have excellent weathering characteristics. Has a distinct, lingering, cedar-like scent; this characteristic of the wood makes it a favorite for cigar boxes.

Mild wood of mahogany-like appearance.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Veneer, plywood, cabinetry, musical instruments, (flamenco and classical guitars), humidors, and boatbuilding.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	< 480 very soft
Hardness Janka kN	<4 - soft
Durability Above Ground	Class1

Tali

Erythrophleum africanum

Description: Tali is a tropical species native to sub-Saharan Africa and known for its resistance to wear and tear. Tali is a very durable timber that excels in harsh conditions, with the undeniable advantage that it does not need to be treated.

Products Available: logs, squared log, sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Sleepers, bridge decks, decking, harbor jetties.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Tali (Erythrophleum Africanum) Sawn Timber VIEW

African TIMBER SPECIES

The African continent is home to some of world’s most beautiful exotic hardwoods, it is for this reason OPS has worked over a long period to establish supply partners in this region.

Having travelled extensively throughout Africa, including Gabon, Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia, and establishing relationships with forestry experts in each country, has allowed OPS to connect with many like-minded, professional, ‘direct-from-the-source’ suppliers.

From these suppliers our product range has evolved. An incredible range of beautiful hardwood species available in squared logs, sawn timber, AD / KD, RS / S4S, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

REGION SEARCH

Australia

Asia-Pacific

North America

South America

Africa

Afromosia

Afrosersalisia afzelii

Agba

Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Azobe / Ekki

Lophira Alata

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Beli

Julbernardia pellegriniana

Bilinga

Nauclea diderrichii

Bubinga

Copaifera Salikounda

Iroko

Milicia Excelsa / Chlorofora Excelsa

Mahogany

Khaya Ivorensis

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Makore

Tieghemela heckellii

Niangon

Heritiera utilis

Niove

Staudtia kamerunensis

Okan

Cylicodiscus Gabunensis

Okoume

Aucoumea klaineana

Padauk

Pterocarpus soyauxii

Sapele

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)

Spanish Cedar

Cedrella odorata

Tali

Erythrophleum africanum

CURRENT SUPPLY OPPORTUNITY ( 1)