Family: Meliaceae, the mahogany family.
Origin: It grows in Africa from Ghana to the Congo and Uganda, including the Ivory Coast, the Cameroons and Zaire.
Other common names: Scented mahogany, sapele mahogany, aboudikro, penkwa, muyovu and libuyu.
The tree: Sapele may reach a height of 150 to 200 ft. with a trunk diameter of 6 ft. and a straight, cylindrical bole clear to 100 ft. Its buttresses vary from tree, sometimes broad and low and sometimes without any. The deciduous leaves are pinnate with 5 to 9 pairs of leaflets that are 5 in. long and pointed at the tips.
Appearance: The heartwood is a medium red to fairly dark reddish-brown with a purplish cast. The sapwood is whitish or pale yellow and is clearly demarcated. The grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy, producing a narrow, uniform roe figure when quartersawn. The texture is fine to medium and it has a high, golden luster.
Density: Average reported specific gravity is 0.55(ovendry weight/green volume), equal to an air-dried weight of 42 pcf. Janka hardness is 1500 pounds of force.
Drying & shrinkage: Sapele seasons fairly rapidly with a marked tendency to warp, is very variable in drying properties and requires careful stacking. Movement in service is rated as medium. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 4.6% radial, 7.4% tangential and 14.0% volumetric.
Working properties: It is a relatively easy wood to work but will quickly take the edge off tools and in planing and shaping, the surface is likely to tear due to the interlocked grain. Glue holds well and it nails and screws well although thin stock may split during nailing if not pre-drilled. It stains and finishes excellently. Possible adverse reactions from the dust include skin irritation and sneezing.
Durability: Sapele is moderately durable. Its resistance to termite attack is variable and it is susceptible to attack by pinhole borers. The sapwood is often damaged by powder-post beetles and it is resistant to preservative treatment.
Uses: Since sapele belongs to the same botanical family as true mahogany, its uses are very similar. Uses include furniture, cabinetwork, decorative veneers, plywood, joinery, flooring and paneling.
Availability: Sapele veneer and lumber are available in a moderate price range.