Scientific name:
Tieghemella heckelii

Other names:
Abacu
Aganokwe
African Cherry
Baku
Douka
Okolla

The species is reported to occur in Africa, from Sierra Leone to Cameroon, Gabon, and south to Cabinda. It is reported to be widely distributed in the high rain forests. It is currently unknown whether material from this species is available from sustainably managed, recycled, salvaged, or other environmentally responsible sources. The trees are large, attaining heights of 180 to 200 feet (48 to 60 m), with trunk diameters often about 48 inches (120 cm), sometimes up to 10 feet (3 m).

Weight:
Weight is about 39lbs per cu. ft.

Use:
Furniture, cabinetwork, turning, high-class joinery, interior fittings, lab benches, marine plywood, decorative veneers.

General characteristic:
Makore heartwood varies from pinkish-red to blood red and red-brown. Grain is usually straight, but many logs have a decorative moire pattern, or mottled, or even dark streaks. It’s texture is uniform and fine. The wood is lustrous.

Working properties:
High amounts of silica tend to blunt cutting edges rapidly but the material is reported to work reasonably well in turning, boring, moulding, mortising, and routing operations. Tungsten-tipped cutters are recommended. Tends to split in nailing, but holds screws well. Glues and stains satisfactorily. Excellent finish is obtained if filler is used.

Drying and shrinkage:
Dries rapidly, but tends to twist or split around knots, otherwise little degradation. Small movement.; Kiln SchedulesT10 - D4S(4/4); T8 - D3S (8/4) US

Durability:
The heartwood is reported to have high natural resistance to decay, but the sapwood is susceptible to attack by powder-post beetle. The timber is also resistant to Anobium borers and termites, but it is occasionally attacked by pinhole and longhorn borers. The wood may develop stains in contact with iron.