Color & grain

• Heartwood: Reddish-brown to dark brown, often with a golden or reddish sheen. Over time, the wood becomes slightly darker and develops a beautiful patina.
• Sapwood: Lighter, mostly yellowish to pale brown, but often not used for processing.
• Grain: Mostly straight, but also with slight waves or a “bar grain”, which gives the wood a beautiful, decorative structure. The wood has an even and fine texture, which makes it particularly suitable for high-quality furniture and veneers.

Tree size & wood properties

• Average height: 40-50 meters
• Trunk diameter: 80-120 cm
• Hardness : Janka hardness: ~ 7,480 N – relatively hard and resistant to abrasion and mechanical loads.
• Weight: Medium to high density approx. 600-750 kg/m³ in dried state.
• Durability: Mahogany sapele is highly resistant to moisture and insect infestation, making it suitable for use in humid environments or for outdoor applications. However, it is more preferred for indoor use as it is more sensitive to extreme weather conditions.

Frequent uses

• Furniture: Sapeli is often used in furniture production for high-quality tables, chairs, cabinets and shelves. Due to its stable structure and beautiful grain, it is ideal for fine furniture and designer furniture.
• Veneers & interior finishes: Due to its attractive color and grain, sapele is often used for veneers and interior finishes such as wall paneling, flooring and ceiling coverings.
• Musical instruments: Used for the construction of musical instruments such as guitars, cabinets and pianos as it provides good sound transmission while being strong and durable.
• Shipbuilding & outdoor furniture: Mahogany sapele is also used in shipbuilding and is suitable for the manufacture of boats and outdoor furniture due to its durability and resistance to moisture.
• Handicrafts & woodturning: Sapeli is often used for woodturning, sculptures and high-quality art objects, as it is easy to work with and offers an attractive surface.