The newly cut heartwood of Sapele (pronounced su-pē'lē) is pink to pink-brown, over time the color darkens to red-brown or purplish-brown. Grain is moderately interlocked or wavy. Has a medium fine texture and a high golden luster.

BOTANICAL NAME: 

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

ORIGIN: 

West, Central and East Africa rain forests, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Zaire and Tanzania

COMMON NAMES: 

Aboudikro, Libuyu, Muyovu, Penkwa, Sapelli, Sapelii

JANKA HARDNESS:

1510

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY:

Moderate

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE: 

The species is reported to be relatively secure within parts of its range but it is known to be vulnerable in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast.

INTERESTING FACTS: 

Sapele is a large rain forest tree from Africa. It is reported to grow to heights of 150 feet, with trunk diameters of 48 to 72 inches. Boles are usually clear and cylindrical to heights of 80 to 100 feet.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

The sapwood of Sapele tends to whitish or pale yellow and is distinct from the heartwood, which ranges in color from a medium to dark reddish or purplish brown. Sapele is lustrous and fine-textured, with an interlocked grain that is sometimes wavy, producing a narrow, uniform roe figure on quartered surfaces. When cut, it has a cedar-like scent.

MAIN USES: 

Sapele is most commonly found in wood flooring and paneling, decorative veneers, furniture, and cabinetwork

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

Sapele is quite durable and seasons rapidly, but with a marked tendency to warp, so careful stacking is required

WORKING PROPERTIES:

This wood works equally well with hand and machine tools, and it saws and finishes easily. However, planing the surface tends to tear the interlocked grain. Sapele has good nailing and gluing properties.