Sapele
Entandrophragma cylindricum • Hardwood / Exotic
Grain Pattern
Interlocked, quarter-sawn appearance showing characteristic ribbon stripe. Grain is uniform with a medium to fine texture.
Color Description
Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown, significantly darker than the pale yellow sapwood. Color tends to darken and enrich with age and exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
1,510 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable to Durable; heartwood is moderately resistant to rot and termites, though susceptible to powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments (acoustic guitars), veneer, and paneling.
Geographic Origin
Native to tropical Africa, particularly West and Central Africa (e.g., Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on figure and availability.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be from a mid-century or late 20th-century piece of furniture (30-60 years old) based on the oxidation and construction style.
Sustainability Status
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) and subject to over-harvesting; FSC certified material is available but recommended to ensure responsible sourcing.
Workability
Generally works well but the interlocked grain can cause significant tearout during planing or surfacing. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive cedar-like scent when being worked; highly reactive to movement in interlocked grain which creates dramatic light-changing chatoyance.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or shellac best highlight the ribbon figure. Takes clear coats like polyurethane well once sanded to a high grit.
Identification Confidence
High; the tight ribbon-like interlocked grain stripes and specific reddish-brown hue are diagnostic characteristics of Sapele, often used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany.