Scientific Name:
Entandrophragma cylindricum

Other Names and Species:
Aboudikro
Libuyu
Muyovu
Penkwa
Sapelli
Sapelii

Sapele seasons rapidly but has a tendency to warp and is very variable in drying properties. A West and East Africa, from the Ivory Coast to the Cameroons and eastward through Zaire to Uganda, Sapele is similar in color to African mahogany, it is more durable than true mahoganies.

Its strength are similar to oak. Sapele ranges from medium to fairly dark reddish-brown to purplish-brown, while sapwood is whitish or pale yellow.

Weight:
Weight ranges from 35 to 43 pounds per cubic foot (Average weight & gravity: 40 lb/ft & 55).

Use:
Sapele is used for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, doors, boat building, musical instruments, flooring, plywood, paneling, decorative veneers, cabinetwork.

General Characteristics:
The lumber has a cedar like aromatic odor when cut. Widely used for decorative veneering it is often sliced to show the narrow ‘pencil’ stripe which is a characteristic of the sapele. It is also used for rotary cut plywood. The wood needs to saws easily and cleanly with little waste and works fairly easily with hand and machine tools, although the interlocked grain may be troublesome in planning and moulding.

Working Properties:
This wood works equally well with hand and machine tools, and it saws and finishes easily. Finishing stain may over-darken the wood. No known finishing problems. Sands satisfactorily if correct sanding sequence is followed. Sapele has good nailing and gluing properties.

Drying and Shrinkage:
Sapele is reported to be prone to distort during drying. Moderate temperatures are recommended especially during the early stages of drying, but the species is generally free from the cross-breaks which occur in African mahogany. Experts recommend a kiln schedule of T2-D4 for 4/4 stock; T3-D3 for 8/4 stock. Careful stacking of material minimizes problems. Shrinkage from green to 14% MC, Radial - 5%, Tangential - 7%.

Durability:
Sapele is quite durable and seasons rapidly, but with a marked tendency to warp, carefully when stacking. This wood is moderately durable, and its resistance to termite attack varies.