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Hardwood Species

The majority of African timber species are hardwoods, prized for their density, strength, and diverse aesthetic appeal. These timbers are exceptionally durable, making them ideal for a wide array of demanding applications from construction to fine furniture. Sonii Global proudly offers these robust and beautiful hardwoods, sustainably sourced to meet global demand:

Iroko (Milicia excelsa): 

Iroko, often dubbed ‘African Teak,’ is a highly durable hardwood prized for its natural resilience against rot and insects. Its striking golden-brown hues deepen beautifully with age, offering a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic for any project. This versatile timber is ideal for demanding outdoor applications like boat decking and garden furniture, as well as elegant interior uses such as flooring and cabinetry.

Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum): 

Sapele is a beautiful African hardwood often admired for its lustrous reddish-brown tones and distinctive ribbon-like grain patterns. It offers excellent stability and durability, making it a popular choice for fine furniture, cabinetry, and flooring. Its acoustic properties also make it favored for musical instrument construction, particularly guitars.

African Mahogany (Khaya spp.): 

African Mahogany boasts a classic reddish-brown hue that deepens elegantly with age, presenting a timeless appeal. This versatile timber is highly valued for its workability and moderate durability, suitable for various interior applications. It is a premium choice for bespoke furniture, architectural millwork, and sophisticated joinery.

Doussié (Afzelia africana): 

Doussié is a remarkably strong and dense hardwood, characterized by its warm reddish-brown color which matures gracefully over time. Known for its exceptional durability and resistance to decay and insects, it excels in demanding environments. This robust timber is perfectly suited for heavy construction, resilient flooring, and outdoor applications.

Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii): 

Padauk stands out with its vibrant, fiery reddish-orange color that can deepen into a rich red-brown, adding dramatic flair to any project. This dense and very durable hardwood offers impressive stability and is easy to work with for intricate details. It’s a striking choice for high-end furniture, musical instruments, decorative veneers, and specialty items.

Wenge (Millettia laurentii): 

Wenge is a distinctively dark and dense hardwood, recognized by its deep chocolate-brown to nearly black color with fine, parallel lighter streaks. Its coarse texture and pronounced grain create a dramatic, modern aesthetic, particularly when finished with oils. Highly durable and hard-wearing, Wenge is excellent for flooring, contemporary furniture, and unique accents.

Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.): 

Bubinga is an exquisite African hardwood celebrated for its rich pinkish-red to reddish-brown hues, often adorned with alluring purple streaks or wavy figure patterns. This dense and moderately hard timber possesses excellent strength and a fine, even texture, making it highly versatile. It’s a prized material for fine furniture, decorative veneers, musical instruments, and intricate turning projects.

Tali (Erythrophleum ivorense / Erythrophleum suaveolens): 

Tali is an exceptionally durable and robust hardwood, known for its outstanding natural resistance to decay, insects, and harsh weather conditions. Its yellow-brown to reddish-brown heartwood is immensely strong, boasting high bending and crushing strengths. This resilient timber is a prime selection for demanding exterior applications like heavy construction, railway sleepers, and marine structures.

Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana): 

Okoume is a lightweight and relatively soft African hardwood, distinguished by its pale pinkish-brown to light red color and uniform, fine texture. It is highly valued for its excellent workability and superb peeling properties, making it very versatile. Primarily used in the production of high-quality plywood and veneers, Okoume also finds applications in boat building and light construction.

Zebrano (Microberlinia brazzavillensis): 

Zebrano is instantly recognizable for its bold and unique striped pattern, featuring alternating light brown and dark brown/black bands, truly resembling a zebra’s coat. This medium-density hardwood adds a dramatic and exotic touch to any design, catching the eye with its distinctive aesthetic. It is predominantly used for decorative veneers, fine cabinetry, architectural paneling, and specialty furniture pieces.

Softwood Species

While Africa’s forests are abundant in hardwoods, commercially traded softwood species are rare in the tropical and sub-tropical regions where these specialized timbers originate. Thus, the selection of African wood types prominently featured in global trade primarily consists of hardwoods.

Tropical Timber Species

All the timber species showcased above from Africa are classified as tropical timbers, as they originate from trees thriving in the warm, humid climates of equatorial and sub-equatorial regions. Their growth conditions contribute to their unique characteristics, density, and often vibrant coloration. You can find their detailed descriptions within the “Hardwood Species” section above.