Wood Species

AGBA / TOLA

Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum

Light to yellow-brown exotic wood, relatively soft and lightweight. Moderately durable; requires treatment for outdoor use.

Common applications :

Plywood, mouldings, laminated panels.

AYOUS / SAMBA

Triplochiton scleroxylon

Pale yellowish to light yellow exotic wood, extremely lightweight and dimensionally stable. A good alternative to poplar, with excellent acoustic properties

Common applications : 

Mouldings, plywood, packaging, crating, laminated panels, matches, pencils.

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AZOBE

Lophira alata

Dark red to purplish-red exotic wood, extremely dense and highly durable.  

Common applications :

Marine and hydraulic works, bridges, truck beds, railway sleepers, fencing posts.

BADI / BILINGA

Nauclea diderrichii

A naturally very dense and highly durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood.
Rated for use class 5, this species is often chosen for hydraulic engineering due to its robustness and resistance in ground contact and marine or brackish environments.
The wood ranges from orange-yellow to golden-yellow.

Common applications : 

Railway sleepers, poles, hydraulic works, bridges, truck and trailer beds.

BANGKIRAI

Shorea glauca

A naturally dense and highly durable exotic hardwood with slightly distinguishable sapwood.
Rated for use class 5 in freshwater environments. The wood has a yellow-brown to reddish-brown hue.
Pinholes may be present but are not a concern if sparsely distributed.

Common applications :

Outdoor structures, beams, heavy timber framing, shipbuilding.

BOSSE

Guarea cedrata

A dense and naturally durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood and notable acoustic properties.
Its color ranges from pinkish-brown to rosy-brown, and the cedrata variety is known for its peppery scent.

Common applications :

Exterior joinery, shipbuilding, fine woodworking, plywood, veneers.

CEDAR

Cedrus atlantica

A lightweight and naturally durable softwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Its distinctive fragrance is one of its hallmark features. When sapwood is removed, it naturally qualifies for use class 3. The wood ranges in color from yellow-brown to reddish.

Veneer, interior and exterior joinery, woodturning, fine woodworking, structural framing.

Common applications :

Veneering, interior and exterior carpentry, woodturning, cabinetmaking, timber framing.

CHESTNUT

Castanea sativa

A naturally durable hardwood with moderate dimensional stability and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Chestnut has a tendency to split. The wood is light yellowish-brown in color.

Common applications : 
Flooring, paneling, outdoor landscaping, fine woodworking, veneer, shingles.

OAK

Quercus petraea

A very dense and naturally durable hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood.
Oak is widely used across many sectors thanks to its light straw-brown color, characteristic medullary rays (silver grain), and distinctive tannic scent.

Interior and exterior joinery, heavy timber framing, cooperage, outdoor landscaping, fine woodworking.

Common applications :

Interior and exterior carpentry, heavy timber framing, cooperage, outdoor landscaping, cabinetmaking.

CUMARU

Dipteryx spp

An exceptionally dense and highly durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Its color ranges from yellow-brown to pinkish-brown and even deep red, depending on the subspecies. Commonly used in outdoor landscaping and flooring applications.

Common applications :

Decking boards, flooring, hydraulic works, tool handles.

DOUGLAS FIR

Pseudotsuga menziesii

A naturally durable, stable, and lightweight softwood with broad, clearly distinguishable sapwood. The wood has a pinkish-brown hue and is widely valued for its strength-to-weight ratio.

Outdoor landscaping, heavy timber framing, exterior joinery, glued laminated timber (glulam)

Common applications :

Outdoor landscaping, heavy timber framing, exterior carpentry, glulam (glued laminated timber).

DOUKA

Tieghemella heckelii

A dense and naturally highly durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Douka is closely related to Makoré and other mahogany-like species. Its wood is reddish-brown and may exhibit interlocked grain.

Common applications :

Exterior joinery, flooring, veneer, shipbuilding, structural framing, staircases, fine woodworking.

DOUSSIE

Afzelia bipindensis

A naturally dense and durable hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Doussie is commonly used in marine construction, particularly for deck planking. Its wood ranges from golden brown to pale red.

Common applications :
Shipbuilding, exterior joinery, cladding, flooring.

SPRUCE

Picea abies

A softwood species with low natural durability, requiring appropriate preservative treatments depending on use. Spruce may contain resin pockets. The wood is creamy white in color.

Common applications :

Structural framing, timber framing, glued laminated timber (glulam), panels, musical instruments, paneling, mouldings, packaging.

SYCAMORE MAPLE

Acer pseudoplatanus

A European hardwood species with low natural durability and moderate dimensional stability. It has no distinct sapwood, and its grain is sometimes figured or wavy—highly prized by instrument makers. The wood is white with yellowish hues.

Common applications :

Fine woodworking, indoor furniture, musical instruments, woodturning, veneers.

EUCALYPTUS GRANDIS

Eucalyptus grandis

A lightweight exotic hardwood with low natural durability and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Originally from Australia, this species is now also grown in other regions, including parts of Asia.

Common applications :

Interior joinery, glued laminated timber (glulam), flooring, paneling, furniture.

FRAKE

Terminalia superba

A hardwood species with low natural durability and no clearly distinguishable sapwood. Fraké is known for its acoustic qualities. The wood is light yellow and may feature streaked or mottled patterns.

Common applications : 

Plywood, laminated panels, paneling, packaging.

ASH

Fraxinus excelsior

A hardwood species found in Europe and North America, known for being fairly hard and dense. Typically white, ash often displays streaks of grey veining (mottling). It is especially valued for its excellent steam-bending properties.

Common applications : 

Sliced veneer, tool handles, fine woodworking.

BEECH

Fagus sylvatica

A relatively hard hardwood species, beech is naturally not very durable and requires drying or steaming. Notable for its excellent ability to take stains and finishes, it is widely used in interior fittings. Red heartwood may occasionally appear.

Common applications : 

Furniture, mouldings, chairs, woodturning, food-related wooden objects.

HEVEA

Hevea spp

An exotic wood species with low natural durability and medium density. The sapwood is not durable. Hevea stains very well and is commonly found in South America and Southeast Asia.

Common applications : 

General furniture, interior paneling, solid wood panels for interior fittings, staircases, packaging, crating.

IROKO

Milicia excelsa

A naturally dense and durable exotic hardwood with very distinct sapwood. Commonly used in marine construction, Iroko ranges in color from yellow-brown to chocolate brown, with pale yellowish-white sapwood.

Common applications : 

Exterior joinery, shipbuilding, fine woodworking, plywood.

IPE

Tabebuia

An exotic hardwood known for its exceptional density, durability, and stability. Ipé is frequently used for decking. The wood is brown with greenish-yellow streaks. There are many subspecies of Ipé, each with slight variations in color and grain.

Common applications : 

Outdoor landscaping, shipbuilding, bridges, flooring

ITAUBA

Mezilaurus itauba

A naturally durable and dense exotic hardwood with slightly distinguishable sapwood. Often used for decking, Itauba features a brown to yellow-brown color and may present temporary surface markings that fade over time.

Common applications :

Outdoor landscaping, hydraulic works, flooring, fine woodworking.

KAPUR

Dryobalanops

A naturally durable, dense, and stable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood.  Kapur is known for its distinctive camphor-like scent. Its wood ranges from reddish-brown to pinkish-brown.

Common applications :

Truck flooring, bridges, heavy timber framing, tool handles.

KOSIPO

Entandrophragma candollei

A dense and naturally durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Closely related to Sipo, Kosipo features reddish-brown wood with ribbon-like grain patterns

Common applications :

Exterior joinery, paneling, staircases, shipbuilding.

MASSARANDUBA

Manilkara bidentata

An exotic hardwood from South America, naturally rated for use class 5 in freshwater environments. Primarily used for outdoor applications, Massaranduba is a reddish wood that may exhibit purplish highlights. It is often compared to its African counterpart, Moabi

Common applications :

Hydraulic works, decking boards, joists, fence posts, turned items, bridges.

MENGKULANG

Tarrietia javanica

An exotic hardwood from Southeast Asia, Mengkulang is known for its pale pink to reddish color. It has clearly distinguishable sapwood, which is not durable. Its typical grain pattern is a distinguishing feature, although the presence of silica may cause premature dulling of cutting tools.

Common applications :
Interior and face veneer for plywood, laminated panels, interior and exterior joinery, glued laminated timber.

DARK RED MERANTI

Shorea pauciflora

An exotic hardwood from Southeast Asia, Dark Red Meranti is known for its pinkish-brown to dark red color. It has clearly distinct sapwood and variable density. Its ribbon-like grain pattern is a defining feature, and its slightly siliceous nature can lead to quicker tool wear.

Common applications :
Interior and exterior joinery, plywood, glued laminated timber (glulam), paneling.

CHERRY

Cerasus avium

A European hardwood species with a yellow to reddish-brown appearance and clearly distinguishable sapwood. One of its key characteristics is its excellent steam-bending capability.

Common applications : 

Fine woodworking, interior joinery, sliced veneer, turned items, carving.

MUIRACATIARA

Astronium balansae

An exotic hardwood from Central and South America, Muiracatiara is naturally very durable. Also known as Tigerwood, it is easily recognized by its striking orange color with dark brown streaks resembling tiger stripes. This species is notably used in the crafting of musical instruments

Common applications : 

Decking boards, outdoor landscaping, fine woodworking, flooring, sliced veneer, musical instruments.

WALNUT

Juglans regia

A European hardwood species with a brown base color and dark veining. Walnut is highly stable and particularly sought after for high-precision applications, such as gunstocks.

Common applications : 

Fine woodworking, luxury interior fittings, interior joinery, sliced veneer, turned items, carving.

AMERICAN WALNUT

Juglans nigra

A North American hardwood, closely related to European walnut. This variety features a rich purplish-brown color with dark veining. Highly stable, American walnut is frequently used in luxury interior design and marine applications.

Common applications : 
Fine woodworking, luxury fittings, marine carpentry, interior joinery, sliced veneer, turned items, carving.

MAKORE

Tieghemella heckelii

A dense and naturally very durable exotic hardwood with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Closely related to Douka and other mahogany-like species, Makoré features reddish-brown wood that may have a moiré or shimmering figure.

Common applications : 

Exterior joinery, flooring, veneer, shipbuilding, structural framing, staircases, fine woodworking.

LARCH

Larix decidua

A naturally durable and relatively dense softwood. Its heartwood is reddish-brown with flame-like figuring, and the sapwood is clearly distinguishable. Larch grows at higher altitudes in France and across Europe. It is also found in Scandinavian countries, where tighter growth rings characterize the so-called “Northern Larch,” part of the Northern Softwoods group.

Common applications : 

Structural framing, glued laminated timber (glulam), exterior cladding, paneling, flooring.

MOABI

Baillonella toxisperma

An exotic African hardwood, Moabi is exceptionally durable, dense, and hard. Its wood is pinkish-brown to reddish, with a fine, even grain and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Rated for use class 5, it is suitable for marine or brackish environments—earning its reputation as the “Swiss army knife” of timber species.

Common applications : 

Interior and exterior joinery, fine woodworking, face and core veneer for plywood, heavy timber framing, staircases, steam-bent and turned items, flooring, glued laminated timber (glulam).

MOVINGUI

Distemonanthus benthamianus

An exotic African hardwood with moderate natural durability. Its wood ranges from lemon yellow to yellowish-brown and may display distinct oily veins. The sapwood is clearly distinguishable. Movingui requires appropriate treatment for outdoor use, and a pore filler is recommended to achieve a high-quality finish.

Common applications : 

Interior and exterior joinery (with preservative treatment), staircases, steam-bent and turned items, light structural framing, glued laminated timber (glulam), fine woodworking, paneling.

MUKULUNGU

Autranella congolensis

An exotic African hardwood that is naturally very durable, extremely dense, and hard. Its wood ranges in color from red to brown, with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Mukulungu has low dimensional stability, making it more suitable for use in large sections to reduce internal stress and tension. It is naturally rated for use class 5 and is therefore suitable for marine or brackish environments.

Common applications : 
Hydraulic works, bridges, exterior decking, flooring (classic to industrial), railway sleepers, poles, heavy timber framing.

NIANGON

Tarrietia densifiera

An exotic African hardwood with moderate natural durability. Niangon has a reddish-brown color, with interlocked grain and ribbon-like figure. Its sapwood is clearly distinguishable. Preservative treatment is required for exterior use, depending on exposure to weather. It should not be confused with its relative, Ogoué, which is oilier, darker, and denser

Common applications : 

Interior and exterior joinery, furniture, plywood face and back veneers, flooring, shipbuilding, paneling, staircases, mouldings, fine woodworking, sliced veneer.

SCOTS PINE

Pinus sylvestris

A softwood species native to mountainous regions of Europe and also known as a Northern Softwood when sourced from Scandinavia. It is naturally durable, with a yellowish-brown appearance and contrasting red growth rings. The wide sapwood is clearly distinguishable. Scots Pine is relatively soft and commonly used by planing mills for cladding and decking.

Common applications : 

 Mouldings, paneling, furniture, structural framing, timber framing, interior and exterior joinery, packaging and crating, shingles, exterior cladding.

OKOUME

Aucoumea klaineana

A lightweight exotic hardwood from Africa, Okoumé has a pale pinkish to reddish appearance with a fine grain and clearly distinguishable sapwood.It may exhibit interlocked grain and tends to fluff during planing, so a pore filler is recommended for a smooth finish.For outdoor use—such as shutter boards—appropriate treatment is required (e.g., stain, paint, or preservative).

Common applications : 

Core, face, and back veneers for plywood, sliced veneer, mouldings, formwork, packaging and crating, laminated panels, furniture, paneling, shutter boards.

PADOUK

Pterocarpus soyauxii

An exotic hardwood with a striking red to purplish-red color and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Padouk is a very stable species but highly photosensitive, its color darkens significantly over time. It is suitable for use in marine or brackish environments. Pre-drilling is strongly recommended, as the wood is prone to splitting.

Common applications : 
Hydraulic works, outdoor landscaping, flooring, turned objects, fine woodworking, bridges, shipbuilding, railway sleepers, veneer, heavy structural framing.

POPLAR

Populus

A globally present hardwood species, available in numerous clones. Poplar is typically white, with sapwood that may be slightly or not at all distinct depending on the species. Lightweight and relatively soft, it is known for its challenging finish due to heavy fuzzing during machining.

Common applications : 

Core, face and back veneers for plywood, mouldings, packaging and crating, furniture, matches, fiberboard and particleboard, paper pulp, light structural framing.

SAPELE

Entandrophragma cylindricum

An exotic hardwood from Africa, Sapele features a coppery reddish-brown color with clearly distinguishable sapwood. Its ribbon-like grain and frequent interlocked texture make it a popular alternative to mahogany. Sapele is sensitive to moisture and may stain when glued if not handled properly.

Common applications :

Interior and exterior joinery, glued laminated timber (glulam), sliced veneer, core or face veneers for plywood, shipbuilding, paneling, staircases, fine woodworking, structural framing, flooring, furniture.

FIR

Abies alba

A softwood species native to Europe, the CIS, and parts of South America. Its appearance is creamy white with distinct growth rings, and the sapwood is not clearly differentiated.
Fir has low natural durability and is prone to blue stain when exposed to moisture—treatment is therefore essential for any exterior or damp-use applications. Due to its softness, it is prone to splitting when nailed or punched.

Common applications : 
Interior joinery, light and heavy structural framing, timber framing, paneling, mouldings, glued laminated timber (glulam), packaging and crating, musical instruments, fiberboard or particleboard, furniture, paper pulp.

SIPO

Entandrophragma utile

An exotic hardwood from Africa with a warm orange-brown color and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Like its close relative, Sapele, Sipo often features ribbon-like grain, making it a popular mahogany substitute. Nicknamed the “benchmark wood” for its excellent dimensional stability and quick drying, Sipo is nevertheless prone to wind shakes in straight-grained logs.

Common applications : 
Interior and exterior joinery, glued laminated timber (glulam), mouldings, paneling, sliced veneer, flooring, plywood face and back veneers, furniture, fine woodworking.

TALI

Erythrophleum suaveolens

An exotic African hardwood with a yellowish-orange to reddish-brown appearance and clearly distinguishable sapwood. Tali is extremely hard and dense, with interlocked grain that makes drying particularly challenging. It is often used as a substitute for Azobé in heavy-duty applications.

Common applications :

Hydraulic works (in freshwater), railway sleepers, fence posts, poles, bridges, truck beds, heavy or industrial flooring, heavy structural framing, musical instruments.

TATAJUBA

Bagassa guianensis

An exotic hardwood from Central and South America, Tatajuba features a yellowish-brown to dark brown color and clearly distinct sapwood. This species is relatively stable and naturally rated for use class 5, making it suitable for marine and brackish environments. It often has interlocked grain, so pre-drilling is essential when working with it.

Common applications :

Hydraulic works, bridges, railway sleepers, shipbuilding, interior and exterior joinery, fine woodworking, truck or container flooring, parquet, turned items.

TIAMA

Entandrophragma angolense

An exotic African hardwood with a reddish-brown to dark brown hue, often accented with golden tones. Tiama is relatively light and soft, with moderate durability. It tends to fluff during planing and is not recommended for exterior use due to its limited resistance to weathering.

Common applications :

Interior joinery, glued laminated timber (glulam), mouldings, paneling, sliced veneer, plywood face and back veneers, furniture, fine woodworking, shipbuilding, flooring.

LIME / BASSWOOD

TTilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, Tilia americana

Linden (also known as Lime or Basswood) is a temperate-zone hardwood, known for being light, soft, and uniform. Its creamy white to pale yellow wood features straight grain, fine texture, and a silky smooth feel. It has very little interlocked grain, making it easy to work with and unlikely to split or warp. Due to its low density and ease of use, it is ideal for applications requiring lightness and precision. Naturally not durable, it is recommended for indoor use only (Use class 1).

Common applications :

Carving, lutherie, marquetry, toys, decorative elements, woodturning, mouldings, panels, models, lightweight furniture.

WENGE

Millettia laurentii, Millettia stuhlmanniin

A tropical hardwood native to Africa, Wengé is instantly recognizable by its very dark brown to nearly black wood, interlaced with lighter veins. The sapwood is clearly distinct, and the grain is straight, with no interlocking. Freshly cut, the wood is yellow and darkens quickly upon exposure to light. Extremely dense and hard to very hard, Wengé is non-impregnable and naturally durable (Class 4). Drying is slow, with a high risk of splitting, especially in thicker sections. Machining is demanding due to its abrasiveness and tool-dulling effect. It holds nails and screws well, provided pre-drilling is done. It is also highly dimensionally stable.

Common applications : 

Flooring, luxury furniture and fine woodworking, interior and exterior joinery, sliced veneer, turned items, paneling, cladding, sculpture, and acid-resistant interior applications.

WESTERN RED CEDAR

Thuja plicata

Native to the west coast of the United States and Canada, Western Red Cedar is a lightweight and durable softwood, highly valued for its dimensional stability. Its color ranges from reddish-brown to light brown, with a clearly distinguishable sapwood. It has a medium texture, straight grain, and no interlocked grain. Very easy to machine but also highly fissile. The sapwood is not durable and should be excluded. Thanks to its low density, this wood offers an excellent weight-to-durability ratio. It ranges from moderately to very durable depending on the tree’s age and part of the wood, but it is sensitive to impact and denting.

Common applications :

Exterior cladding, shingles, interior and exterior joinery, paneling, mouldings, light framing, posts, marine applications, stringed instruments, carving, playgrounds, and pool decking

ZINGANA

Microberlinia bisulcata, Microberlinia brazzavillensis

An African hardwood easily recognized by its distinctive zebra-like striping, light brown to yellowish-brown wood marked with dark brown veins.Also known as Zebrano, Zingana has a coarse texture and interlocked grain that ranges from mild to pronounced. It is a dense wood with a slow and delicate drying process, prone to checking and warping. Its heartwood is moderately durable, offering fair resistance to fungi and termites. Rated for use class 2. Machining requires care due to the risk of tear-out. Good performance with nails and screws if pre-drilled. Low treatability.

Common applications :

Sliced veneer, luxury furniture and fine woodworking, turned objects, paneling, structural components, tool handles, small woodware, general furniture

WALLABA

Eperua falcata (main), E. grandiflora, E. rubiginosa

An exotic hardwood from South America, Wallaba presents a reddish-brown to dark brown color, sometimes streaked with lighter tones, and has clearly distinguishable sapwood.
It is extremely dense and naturally durable, with excellent resistance to fungi, insects, and termites, making it suitable for direct contact with soil or freshwater environments.
The grain is straight, with no interlocked grain, but the wood has high internal stresses and a strong, unpleasant odor when green. Drying is slow and prone to splitting or distortion. Being resinous, it can gum up tools. Pre-drilling is recommended for nailing or screwing.

Common applications :

Shingles, heavy structural framing, exterior joinery, general furniture, heavy or industrial flooring, decking, fence posts, bridges (including humid environments), poles, railway sleepers, hydraulic works in freshwater, cooperage.