Sapele
Entandrophragma cylindricum · Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Origin
- Tropical Africa (West and Central Africa)
- Hardness
- 1,410 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable to Durable; medium resistance to rot and insect attack.
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Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain producing a characteristic ribbon stripe pattern on quartersawn surfaces; texture is fine to medium with a uniform grain.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish-brown. Sapwood is a pale yellow. Color tends to darken with age and resembles African Mahogany.
Hardness (Janka)
1,410 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable to Durable; medium resistance to rot and insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 - $15.00 per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly milled to recently aged (under 5 years) based on vibrant reddish hues and lack of deep oxidation or graying.
- Sustainability Status
- Listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the last three generations.
Common Uses
Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Tropical Africa (West and Central Africa)
Workability
Can be troublesome to machine due to interlocked grain causing tearout during planing; glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to most finishes; oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the ribbon grain and chatoyancy.
Notable Features
Distinctive cedar-like scent when being worked; known for its chatoyancy and pronounced ribbon figure.
