Sapelli
BOTANICAL NAMES
Entandrophragma cylindricum – Entandrophragma rula – Entandrophragma tomentosum – Pseudocedrala cylindrica
FAMILY
Member of the Meliaceae family
COMMERCIAL NAMES
Sapelli – France
Sapelli mahagoni – Germany
Sapele – England
Sapelli, mogano Sapelli – Italy
NATIVE NAMES
Bouboussou, bibite, lotue – Ivory Coast
Assi, dilolo – Gabon
Penkwa – Ghana
Ubilesan – Nigeria
Assie – Cameroon
Lifaki, Libuyu, Bobwe – Zaire
SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES
CONSTRUCTION – DIY – INTERIOR DOORS – EXTERIOR DOORS – FURNITURE – WINDOWS – PARQUET – TOOLS – PANELS – VENEER – JOINERY
RANGE
Sapele is commonly found from the Ivory Coast to Ghana, and from Nigeria to Cameroon and the eastern regions of the Republic of Congo and Uganda.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Sapwood and heartwood are well demarcated. While the sapwood is reddish grey, the heartwood has a warm red-brown color with golden flecks. Exposed to the air, it tends to darken significantly. The wood is hard, of average density, with a fine texture and wavy grain. It is also quite resistant to attacks by parasitic pests.
DRYING
Kiln-drying must be carried out very slowly
SPECIFIC WEIGHT
With a moisture content of 12%, the specific weight ranges from 600 to 650 kg per cubic meter.
PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES
Sapele is easy to work and takes a perfect finish after polishing. It is an excellent wood for natural and rotary cut veneers, and is thus much in demand by the plywood industry. It is also suitable for fine carpentry work and greatly valued by the furniture industry.
