The African continent is home to some of the world’s most beautiful exotic hardwoods. It is for this reason OPS has worked over a long period of time to establish supply partners throughout this region.

This month’s top 4 African Species:

Each species is available in squared logs, sawn timber, AD / KD, RS / S4S, and semi or finished products, produced to customer specification.

Azobe / Ekki

Lophira Alata

Description: Azobe is firm and heavy, being amongst the hardest usable woods in the world, and is largely impervious to the effects of insects and weather. Heartwood is a dark reddish or violet-brown. Pores contain light-colored mineral deposits which form small but conspicuous streaks throughout the wood. Azobe is said to be the hardest industrially used wood in the world.

Products Available: Squared logs or large sawn sections ready for final processing. Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Bridges, sluices, railway carriage construction and shipbuilding, bogmats, acid vats, decking, highly stressed structures, e.g. bearing shells in mechanical engineering. Azobe / Ekki properties make it a perfect material for heavy construction or other uses where great strength and durability are needed.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark Reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ Very Hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ Very Hard
Durability Above Ground	class1
Durability In Ground	class1

Iroko

Milicia Excelsa / Chlorofora Excelsa

Description: Iroko has excellent strength properties, comparing well with teak, though weaker in bending and in compression along the grain. Iroko is very durable, and is resistant to both rot and insect attack; it’s sometimes used as a substitute for Teak.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Because of its stability, durability, and strength, Iroko wood is very versatile. It is used for door and window frames, windows, interior cladding, staircases, doors, façades, park benches, furniture, and parquet floors.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Light Brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 Hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 Medium
Durability Above Ground	class1
Durability In Ground	class1

Sapele

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

Description: Sapele is one of the most valuable wood species, its trunk grows very straight and cylindrical.
Sapele heartwood takes on a deep, red-brown colour when exposed to light. The grain is straight to irregular. Sapele is easy to work and has a medium coarse texture.

Products Available: Sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Sapele is ideal for the production of door and window frames. Sapele is also widely used to manufacture and produce furniture, stairs, parquet floors, and façades.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark Reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 Hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 Medium
Durability Above Ground	class1
Durability In Ground	class2

Tali

Erythrophleum africanum

Description: Tali is a tropical species native to sub-Saharan Africa and known for its resistance to wear and tear. Tali is a very durable timber that excels in harsh conditions, with the undeniable advantage that it does not need to be treated.

Products Available: logs, squared log, sawn timber AD / KD, semi or finished product, produced to customer specification.

Applications: Sleepers, bridge decks, decking, harbor jetties.

Origin	Africa
Colour	Dark Brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 Hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ Very Hard
Durability Above Ground	class1
Durability In Ground	class1