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AFRICAN MAHOGANY KHAYA NYASICA
Also known as Acajou, Umbaua, Grand bassam and distributed from central and east Africa. The wood is medium hard and of medium weight and ranges between 513-721 kg/m3 averaging 673 kg/m3 when green. It is pink when freshly cut, darkening to a reddish-brown, with pale golden-brown zones, on exposure. The grain is sometimes straight, but generally interlocked, giving a characteristic stripe figure in quarter sawn stock. The texture is medium to coarse, but even. The timber works fairly easily with both hand and machine tools and is suitable for furniture and general carpentry.
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IROKO CHLOROPHORA EXCELSA
The Nigerian name Iroko has been universally adopted as the trade name on the international market although it is known as Mvule in East Africa. The timber is somewhat variable in colour, from pale-yellow to medium-brown when fresh but soon darkening to a uniform brown colour. On exposure to the weather, as ships’ decking, garden furniture etc, it bleaches like teak. The timber is somewhat coarse-textured, with an interlocked and sometimes rather irregular grain, and of medium density, seasoned, which is about the same as teak. Iroko has a superficial resemblance to teak but is readily distinguished by its coarser texture, and lacks the characteristic greasy feel and leather-like smell of teak. When free of stone, Iroko presents little difficulty in working with hand or machine tools. Dulling of cutting edges is much less than with teak, unless stone is present, when it can become severe. Iroko can be nailed and screwed fairly well and takes stain but its coarse, open texture requires filling before polish ing. It is not usually painted but can be if desired, using a thin primer. As for how it is used, in the countries of origin Iroko is regarded as the local equivalent of teak, being outstanding in its lasting qualities and stability, and not unduly hard or heavy, with good all-round strength properties and a pleasing appearance. In Europe and North America its use has been developed largely as an alternative to teak; it has the advantage of being considerably less expensive. It is used, for example, in ship and boat building, for high-class joinery in public buildings, for laboratory benches, draining-boards, garden furniture and flooring.
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KIAAT PTERACARPUS ANGOLENSIS
Other names include Rhodesian Walnut, Mninga (Tanzania); Ambila (Mozambique); Mukwa (Zambia and Rhodesia); Kiaat, Kajat, Kjatenhout (South Africa). The timber resembles other species of the Pterocarpus genus (padauk from Burma, Andamans and Africa) but lacks the reddish colour of padauk, being brown with irregular reddish streaks. It is also softer and lighter in weight about 640kg/m3 when dried. The sapwood, which is rather wide, is oatmeal in colour; the grain is straight to interlock, and the texture is medium. The timber has excellent drying properties, both in air and kiln drying, although it dries slowly. There is only the slightest tendency for surface checking to occur. Owing to the varying grain, even in the same log, its strength is generally lower on average than the values for padauk, being about 30 percent inferior in stiffness, but it is about 20 percent more resistant to shock loads, and about equal in bending strength. As for working qualities, it is easy to saw and work, although there i s a tendency for interlocked grain to pick up in quarter sawn surfaces; a cutting angle of 20 degrees is therefore necessary. The wood turns well, has good nailing and screwing properties, and takes a good polish. Kiaat is an attractive timber, suitable for paneling, high-class joinery and furniture. It makes a first-class floor with a moderate resistance to wear, and is a good timber for decorative veneer.
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OBECHE TRIPLOCHITON SCLEROXYLON
The Nigerian name Obeche and the Ghana name Wawa have been adopted as alternative British Standard names for the timber of this species; Obeche is the usual trade name in Britain. The names Ayous and Samba refer to timber originating in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast, respectively. The wood has an even grain and is not resistant to decay or fungi and is very liable to be damaged. Although it cannot be described as hard, the wood is firm under the tool, and even in texture. It works very easily with hand and machine tools, and does not blunt cutting edges of tools very quickly. In end-grain working, the timber may show a tendency to crumble, unless the tools are kept sharp, and edges are not allowed to become thick. It can be turned but is rather soft for this type of use as centres are apt to sink in. For jointed work, gluing is preferable to nailing or screwing, except for very light work. It stains and polishes well (the grain needs to be filled). The wood takes paint well with normal primers. Obeche is u sed in the manufacture of lower-priced domestic cabinet work and kitchen furniture, and for interior joinery and similar purposes where American whitewood or joinery-grade softwood were formerly specified; also for boxes and packing cases where a good appearance is required, since less wastage occurs in conversion. It should never be used without preservative treatment in exposed or damp situations.
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PANGA PANGA MILLETTIA STUHLMANNII
Also known as Partridgewood or Patryshout. Panga Panga grows in the dam evergreen tropical forests of East Africa. The largest concentrations are found in Mozambique; sparser populations exist in southern Tanzania. The dark to black-brown core wood is clearly differentiated from the yellowish, approsimately 5 cm (2in) thick, sapwood. A series of light and dark layers give the wood a notable and very decorative appearance. Panga Panga is often erroneously sold as Wenge, a similar tree from the same family. (Wenge is more darkly coloured). It is a very hard and heavy wood that possesses good mechanical and physical properties, and is flexible, durable and weather- and insect-resistant. The woodglues poorly, although this condition may be ameliorated by first filling up the pores. Panga Panga is very popular in the veneer industry, where it is used for decorative furniture. Intensive steaming must be performed prior to veneer processing. The wood’s durability andoptical elegance make it a good, if som ewhat costly, solution for flooring needs. Because of its high price, Panga Panga is no longer used as construction timber.
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RHODESAIN TEAK BAIKIAEA PLURIJUGA
This timber is called Rhodesian, or Zambian teak because of its outstanding strengths, durability and stability. In Rhodesia and Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia) it is a local equivalent of teak. This specie is limited to the relatively dry region drained by the upper Zambesi and Okavango rivers, an area including the western parts of Zambia and Rhodesia and adjoining portions of Angola, South-West Africa and Botswana A handsome wood of distinctive appearance: The surface of freshly manufactured timber is light-brown marked with irregular black lines or flecks. On exposure to light it soon changes to reddish-brown, and after some years the red component disappears, leaving a beautiful dark-brown colour. The texture is fine and even, giving a smooth, hard surface; the grain is straight or slightly interlocked. The average density is about 0.9 (56 ib/ft3), i.e. appreciably harder and heavier than true teak. 'Rhodesian teak' dries slowly, but with the minimum of degrade. It is dimensionally stable under v arying conditions of atmospheric humidity, being similar to mahogany in this respect, but less stable than true teak. It is well known for its outstanding durability under tropical conditions, and is resistant to termites. The timber is difficult to work and has a fairly severe blunting effect on cutting edges. A clean finish is usually obtained in planning. It should be pre-bored for nails, to prevent splitting. It is the most important indigenous timber tree exploited commercially in Zambia and Rhodesia where it is largely used for railway sleepers, construction work and furniture. The export trade is practically limited to flooring blocks manufactured form offcuts.
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ROSE GUIBOURTIA COLEOSPER
Also known as Bubinga, Kevanzingo, Mazaule, Rhodesian Capalwood, Muscti, Cssingang and chiefly from the Cameroon, and Gabon, also from Zaire. The heartwood is a medium reddish-brown or purplish- brown with darker veining, similar to some types of rosewood with a fine texture. It is of the same order of density as Brazilian rosewood, between 0.8 and 0.96 in the seasoned condition. The grain may be straight or interlocked but some logs have very irregular grain which gives a highly decorative figure to rotary-cut veneer. It is moderately durable but liable to common furniture beetle attack. Although relatively hard and dense the timber is reported to saw without difficulty though the power consumption is fairly high. It takes a fine, clean finish. Rosewood has been used mostly in the form of veneer for decorative purposes, and would seem to have further possibilities for high-class furniture and cabinetwork, and fancy turnery such as knife handles and brush backs.
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ZEBRA WOOD MICROBERLINIA BRAZZAVILLENSIS
Also known as Zebrano, originating from West and East Africa. It has a highly decorative, light gold colour, with narrow streaks of dark brown to black, visible by quartering. Heavy and hard, it can be polished to a high luster, but is rather coarse in texture and has an unpleasant odour when working it.
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MATUMI
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MAHOGANY BLONDE
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AMERICAN ASH FRAXINUS AMERICANA
Ash is of the olive tree family and grows throughout the eastern part of the United States. American ash is a ring porous hardwood and is fairly hard, heavy, and very tough with excellent bending and finishing qualities. It is great for machining and offers good resistance to splitting in nailing and remarkable resistance to splitting in screwing, while it is good for gluing. It can be used for furniture, panelling, flooring, fixtures, woodwork, bending stock, handles and sporting goods.
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CHAMFUTTI AFZELIA QUANZENSIS WELW
Other names: Mahogany; Red Mahogany, Rhodesian mahogany, Chamfuta, Mussacossa, Chanfuta, Matende, Mecombe, Moco, Mugengema, Muoco, Chemnen, Mupapa
The heartwood is reddish-brown in colour and the sapwood is yellow. The texture is coarse and even and it has an interlocked grain.
Durability:Very durable. Uses: Joinery-counter top, fittings in banks and buildings, door frames, window frames, sills, flooring-heavy duty, stairs, furniture, turnery.
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POPLAR IMPORTED POPULUS
Other names include American whitewood, cottonwood and Canadian aspen. Distributed from North and South America andCanada. The wood is fairly soft and light and is usually of plain appearance apart from a growth-ring figure on flat-sawn or rotary-cut material, greyish-white to light greyish-brown sometimes with a reddish tinge. The grain is usually straight, the texture fine and even. The wood is odourless and tasteless when well seasoned. Being soft and light, poplar has a low strength rating, similar to basswood and spruce, but ranks comparatively high in toughness and resistance to shock and wears evenly under abrasion. It is unsuitable for steam bending. All species of poplar are non-curable under damp conditions.
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BEECH EUROPIAN FAGUS SYLVATICA
The timber:A general utility hardwood of plain appearance, usually straight grained and of fine, even texture.
Strength:In the seasoned condition beech is superior to oak in bending strength, stiffness, hardness and resistance to impact and splitting.
Working qualities: Beech works fairly readily and finishes well in most hand and machine operations, particularly in turning.
Uses:It is the most widely used wood in the furniture industry, particularly for chairs. As flooring, beech is suitable for heavy pedestrian traffic and for the light industrial type of factory.
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BEECH PINK FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA
The timber has reddish-brown heartwood with thin white sapwood and straight-grained pattern and is easy to paint, stain or bleach. It is a hard, strong, close-grained wood that is excellent for machining and offers a fair resistance to splitting in nailing and screwing while it is also good for gluing. Beech is a valuable timber suitable for furniture, flooring, handles, woodenware, bending stock and toys.
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CHERRY PRUNUS AVIUM
The wild cherry, or gean, frequently occurs with oak, beech and other hardwoods in mixed woodlands where it is conspicuous in spring for its white blossom. The timber is of medium density, with a fairly fine, even texture, generally straight grained except in the neighborhood of large knots and near the butt. The timber seasons fairly readily but with a pronounced tendency to warp. Its movement in service is classed as medium. It is a tough timber, comparable to oak in strength, and is good material for steam bending – in the same class as beech, ash, oak and elm. Cherry is not sufficiently resistant to insect and fungal attack to be used out of doors without preservative treatment, and is liable to attack by the common furniture beetle. It works and finished fairly well in most machine operations, turns well, gives excellent results with polishing, and presents no difficulty in staining and gluing. Cherry is a high-grade cabinet timber which would probably be more highly appreciated and find greater us e if supplies were more plentiful. In the form of furniture it is often seen in antique country-made pieces. The good working qualities and attractive appearance of the timber make it suitable for interior joinery where large widths are not required. For paneling it is obtainable in the form of veneer. A relatively large proportion of the timber available is of small dimensions, suitable for fancy goods and turnery, including wood-wind musical instruments such as recorders.
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CHERRY COMSELS
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JELUTONG DYERA COSTULATA
Distributed from Sumatra and Borneo, including Sarawak and Sabah. The timber is a plain wood, uniformly white or straw-coloured throughout, although sometimes discoloured by staining fungi. The grain is straight and the texture fine and even. Jelutong is a light hardwood, average density about 0,46, i.e., about the same weight as poplar. Its appearance is marred by the presence of slit-like latex traces. On average it is from 25-40% weaker than light-red Meranti in bending strength, compression, stiffness and shock resistance. Jelutong is rated non-durable when exposed to fungal attack. It is particularly susceptible to termite attack and the sapwood, although not visually distinct from the heartwood, is very liable to stain and to damage by wood-boring insects. The timber presents no difficulty in working with either machine or hand tools. It has little dulling effect and provided that cutting edges are kept sharp it takes an excellent finish. It nails and screws well and can be glued satisfactorily. By reason of its fine, even texture, good working properties and stability, Jelutong has been found acceptable, as an alternative to the more expensive yellow pine, for engineers’ patterns and drawing boards. It is popular for model making and handicraft work and has been used for joinery.
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MAHOGANY SOUTH AMERICAN
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MAHOGANY BURMOG
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MAHOGANY SAPELE
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MERBAU
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MAPLE ACER SACCHARUM
Maple is prized for its cream to white coloured sapwood and light red-brown heartwood. It is diffuse porous with a subtle grain pattern – highlighted by characteristic springwood. The wood is heavy, strong and stiff. Maple works well; stains and finishes nicely and is excellent for machining and has a fair resistance to splitting in nailing. It is good for gluing and has a good resistance to splitting in screwing. It can be used for furniture, cabinets, flooring, interior decoration including stairs and panelling, musical instruments, toys, bowling alleys and pins, and woodenware.
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MAPLE SOFT
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MAPLE BIRD EYE
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RED OAK QUERCUS RUBRA
Distributed from Eastern USA. The timber has a characteristic ring porous grain pattern; the wood is heavy, hard and stiff. The heartwood of Red Oak ranges in colour from “wheat” to a “light honey”, sapwood is light off-white. es
It is excellent for machining, good when it comes to resistance to splitting in nailing and gluing and excellent when it comes to resistance to splitting in screwing. It is prized in the manufacturing of furniture, cabinets, and interior decorative items – especially flooring, stairs, and mouldings.
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WHITE OAK QUERCUS ALBA
Also known as Stave Oak. White oak, like Red Oak, grows broadly across the eastern half of the United States, just in smaller quantities than Red Oak. White Oak is a ring porous specie with a characteristic strong grain and rays that are more pronounced and longer than those in the Red Oaks. It is excellent for machining, good when it comes to resistance to splitting in nailing and gluing and excellent when it comes to resistance to splitting in screwing. It can be used for furniture, cabinets, cooperage, windows and exterior doors, interior decoration including flooring, mouldings and wall/ceiling panelling.
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WALNUT JUGLANS REGIA
Distribution from Western Europe. The tree is generally grown in the open where it may reach a height of 18-25m with large spreading branches; the bole rarely exceeds 6m in length and 1m in diameter. The colour of the heartwood is variable with a greyish-brown background and contrasting irregular dark streaks. On wide boards three distinct zones are seen; the true heartwood in the middle, darker than the rest; the sapwood on the outside; much paler; between them an intermediate zone, often slightly pinkish-brown in colour. When exposed to strong sunlight the colour fades, eventually becoming a dirty grey unless protected. Blue-black stains may develop on the wood if in contact with iron or steel under damp conditions. The ornamental character of the heartwood is often accentuated by a natural wavy grain. . French walnut tends to be somewhat paler and greyer than English, while the Italian wood is characterised by its elaborate figure and dark, streaky coloration. Walnut is unique in its combination of moderate density, good working and finishing properties, toughness and resistance to splitting – qualities which make it unsurpassed for gun and rifle stocks and certain kind of wood carving. It seasons well, though rather slowly, with relatively little shrinkage and a moderate amount of movement in service. It is classed as very good for bending. The heartwood is moderately resistant to insect and fungal attack. Walnut is now too scarce to be used in the furniture industry in the solid form for any but high-quality cabinet work and chairs and small parts such as handles and fittings. Walnut veneers are widely used for cabinet work, paneling, shopfitting and high-class joinery. For the solid parts of veneered walnut furniture it is general practice to use other timbers such as African walnut, beech and abura, stained if necessary to match the veneer. Other used include fancy goods, especially turnery, sports goods – mainly for decorative purposes – and musical instruments.
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MERANTI SHOREA
Light- to medium-weight Shorea timbers with predominantly yellow or yellow-brown heartwood are known as yellow meranti in Malaya and Sarawak and as yellow seraya in Sabah. The only species of this group in the Philippines, known locally as kalunti, is classed as yellow lauan for trade purposes. Distributed from the southern tip of Thailand, through Malaya, Sumatra and the island of Borneo to Mindanao in the Philippines. Being a mixture of species, the commercial timber is variable in colour, weight and texture. Heartwood is typically a dull-yellow or yellow-brown, darkening somewhat on prolonged exposure; it is liable to discoloration in contact with iron under moist conditions. The grain is shallowly interlocked and the texture moderately coarse, although somewhat finer than that of red meranti. Like other types of meranti the timber is somewhat variable in strength. On average, it is of the order of 10-15per cent superior to light-red meranti/seraya in stiffness and resistance to bending, and about 25 p er cent tougher, harder and more resistant to shear and splitting. Heartwood is rated moderately durable with regard to decay, but is not resistant to termite attack. Logs are susceptible to ambrosia (pinhole borer) beetle damage and, on drying; sapwood is liable to attack by powder-post beetles. Heartwood is extremely resistant to preservative treatment even under pressure. The timber works easily with all hand and machine tools and has only a slight blunting effect. A good finish is obtained provided tools are used, although to avoid tearing when planning quartered surfaces, a cutting angle of twenty degrees is recommended. For rip sawing, satisfactory results are obtained with saws having 54 teeth and a 25 degree hook. Though slightly harder and heavier than light-red meranti, yellow meranti can be used for similar purposes, namely joinery, light structural work where some variation in colour, grain and texture is permissible, and for plywood.
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OREGON PINE
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IMBUIA
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BLACKWOOD DALBERGIA MELANOXYLON
The heartwood is dark purplish-brown with black streaks which usually predominate so that the general effect is nearly black. It is exceptionally hard and heavy, density about 1.2, seasoned, with a fine, even texture and a slightly oily nature. The timber dries very slowly and tends to split in drying, especially in the log. The application of a moisture-retardant paint to the ends of the timber at every stage is advised to minimize splitting. Once seasoned, however, it is slow to absorb moisture. Considering its density, African blackwood has exceptionally good working qualities; it cuts smoothly and evenly, taking an excellent finish from the tool, as in turning and boring, and can be tapped for screw threads almost like metal. It is generally considered the best timber for ornamental turnery, being superior to ebony for this purpose. For wood-wind instruments, also, it is preferred to ebony because of its oily nature and resistance to climatic changes. With the exception of cocuswood no other timber ha s been found which equals African blackwood for reliability, working qualities and the tone of the finished instrument. The wood is also used for turned goods such as brush backs, knife handles, pulley blocks and chessmen.
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CEDAR CUPRESSACEAE
The timber:The wood is light, soft and aromatic. Technical properties: It can be easily split and resists decay.
Uses:It is used to make furniture, indoor and outdoor panelling, and fence posts.
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IRONWOOD OLEA CAPENSIS (IRON WOOD)
Also known as Ysterhout, Black Ironwood, Small Ironwood, East African Olive, Elgon Olive, Loliondo, Mushargi, Mutharage and Mutharagi. Iron wood is widespread in Africa, ranging west to Cameroon north to Sudan and Somalia, east to the Indian Ocean, and south to South Africa. The wood of the tree is very hard, fine grained, and heavy, thus difficult to work with. It is widely used for art and artefacts.
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YELLOW WOOD PODOCARPUS LATIFOLIUS
The real yellowwood grows naturally in mountainous areas and forests in the southern, eastern and northern parts of South Africa, extending into Zimbabwe and further north. It is also found on rocky hillsides and mountain slopes but does not get as tall where it is exposed as it does in the forests. The wood is yellow and quite similar to P. falcatus, the Outeniqua yellowwood, although not as dark or of the same quality. The bark is greyish and smooth when young but shows the characteristic longitudinal fissures as it matures. The bark peels off in strips. The real yellowwood has apparently been used more than any other South African timber. Floors in the old Cape homesteads were made of this wood. The soft yellow colour of the wood contrasts beautifully with the dark-coloured stinkwood ( Ocotea bullata ) and these two timbers were often used together to make furniture. The real yellowwood was used a lot for tables and cupboards, as it polishes up very well. The South African Railways used to use the timbe r to make railway sleepers. In the old days it was used to make wagon boxes. Coffins were often made of it too. An unusual use was that of a butcher's block because the wood is hard and did not chip easily. It also has no scent, so it did not taint the meat.
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CYPRESS
The wood is light, soft and aromatic, it can be easily split and resists decay. Uses include furniture, indoor and outdoor panelling, and fence posts.
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PINE
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HARDE PEER
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JAKARANDA
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SALIGNA
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SERING
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BALAU DIPTEROCARPACEAE
Red Balau is a highly durable Mahogany from Indonesia, also known as Bangkirai.
This hardwood's natural resistance to shrinkage, splintering or checking have make it an
ideal and beautiful decking material. This managed-growth, plantation grown hardwood from
Indonesia is twice as hard as normal Mahogany with less color variation than other hardwoods.
It is an extremely dense, tight-grained wood, deep red with a minor amount of fine brown lines.
Four times harder than Redwood it is also naturally resistant to rot or decay.
The colour will fade from a reddish-brown to a weathered silver gray if left untreated, or retain its rich colour,
if treated with a high quality penetrating oil.
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GARAPA APULEIA LEIOCARPA
Garapa is a South American decking product with a rich honey color.
It's characteristics are similar to Ipe with a fraction of the cost. Grain is usually fine and straight with some wavy characteristics
in certain pieces. Very hard and durable, Garapa would be a fine choice of your deck, lasting for many many years to come.
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IPE TABEBUIA SPP
Also known as Brazilian Walnut, Ironwood or Pau Lope. Ipé (pronounced e-pay), is widely recognized as one of the hardest and most
durable timber species in the world. Because of its density it also has a high fire resistance rating.
(The same fire rating as concrete) Ipé is naturally resistant to rot and decay. The color ranges from dark brown to olive-brown
and sometimes almost blackish tones and can vary widely in grain.
Many uses include residential and commercial decking, docks,
park benches, etc. Great for use where you need a quality product that will stand up to high traffic, provide structural integrity,
look beautiful and of course, be functional.
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CUMARU DIPTERIX ODORATA
Also known as Brazilian teak. Cumaru is a Brazilian species is similar to Ipe. It is used in both residential
and commercial applications. The grain has a pronounced interlocked appearance. U.S. Forest Products Lab rates Cumaru as very durable.
Resistance to decay, rot, insect damage and it's fire rating make it a perfect wood for long-life exterior applications. It is estimated
the Cumaru will carry a 25 year life span. Cumaru is harvested form managed forest projects. It is naturally seasoned and kiln dried to
prevent shrinkage. Used for residential and commercial decking, boardwalks, bridges, benches, exterior construction.
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MASSARANDUBA MANILKARA BIDENTATA
Also known as Brazilian Redwood. Common Names include: Acana, Aus, Ausabo, Balata, Balata franc, Balata gomme,
Balata rouge, Beefwood, Bolletri, Bolletrie, Bulletwood, Chicozapota, Macaranduba, Maparajuba, Massarandu, Nispero,
Pamashto, Paraju, Quinilla colorada, and Red balata.
Source Region: Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname & Venezuela.
Massaranduba is a dark red wood which will fade to a silver gray if left untreated. To retain the rich color, we recommend an oil based finish with ultraviolet inhibitors. Regular cleaning and reapplication
of finish will ensure that the wood retains its beauty for many years.The heartwood is light to dark reddish brown in color.
The color has also been described as dull plum red, somewhat resembling raw beef. The grain is straight, sometimes slightly wavy
or interlocked with a very fine texture.
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SALIGNA
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RHODESIAN TEAK
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