But what a great number of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. species of trees to grow quite large, with extensive canopy being formed only in the top one-fifth of Sapele is particularly prized for a lustrous iridescence with colors that range from light pink to brown and gold to red. of the heartwood. Drying - Medium. Learn how and when to remove this template message, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33051A9753619.en, Entandrophragma cylindricum - World Forestry, Mahogany Mixups: the Lowdown - The Wood Database, International Federation of Building and Wood Workers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sapele&oldid=940026177, Articles needing additional references from October 2018, All articles needing additional references, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 February 2020, at 03:11. Color tends to darken with age. (with some rare examples going up to 60 meters), with the trunk diameter It is used for the back and sides of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the bodies of electric guitars. increased popularity and regular use as a substitute for Mahogany, this treated with finishing oils that will prevent oxidation),grain patterns, and internal characteristics that make it very durable. Sapele Wood. Sapele is most often used as a window and door material because it is so stable and almost completely rot and weather resistant. The surface of the wood reacts One of the most common use case scenarios for sapele Countless years of irresponsible forestry management have Sapele wood, a native of central and western Africa, is beloved by furniture and musical instrument craftsmen alike. The best wood for wine cellars is widely considered to be redwood. It is commonly known as sapele or sapelli (/səˈpiːliː/ sə-PEE-lee) or sapele mahogany,[2] as well as aboudikro, assi, and muyovu. Texture - Uniform and very fine texture, which can take great natural We use laminated sapele on the top, back and sides of our entry level Honu models. Extremely vibrant providing an ideal “diaphragm” for transmission of sound on any size and style of stringed instrument. One of its most exotic uses is in musical instruments. For us, sapele has the right combination of rot-resistance, dimensional stability, machinability, availability, and … protection and complete oversight of the commercial exploitation. The tree also grows small flowers that are 5mm in diameter other North and South American species who have all landed under government One of the defining characteristics of Sapele is the interlocking grain patterns. Flooring 12. Sapele will mill nice, glue nicely, and is a good exterior wood for doors. discoloration. African Timber and Plywood (AT&P), a division of the United Africa Company, had a factory at this location where the wood, along with Triplochiton scleroxylon, Obeche, mahogany, and Khaya was processed into timber which was then exported from the Port of Sapele worldwide. Comments: Sapele is a commonly exported and economically important African wood species. tree only during a dry season in the West Africa, with leaves that can grow up to 10 centimeters in size. Wood to Use for End Grain Cutting Board. During growth, these cells more than 20% of total tree population over the past three generations of All theseanomalies in the texture of the wood create a dramatic and exotic look that is one of the Because of the increased levels of commercial exploitation, the brought into question the sustainability of not only Mahogany, but several immunity against rot and insects. It is also used in manufacturing the neck piece of ukuleles and 26- and 36-string harps. Sapele is also a lustrous wood that works fairly well in all operations - planing, sawing, routing, sanding, etc. The sapele is the only RX wood trim with laser-etched aluminum, although Fahrbach says virtually any wood could be used in the process. For several years, we have been using sapele for our paint-grade exterior woodwork. It is a deciduous Page on eastteak.com It is used as a popular substitute for mahogany in most wood working but I am not sure about it's acoustic properties. Sapele is used in making fine furniture, cabinetry, doors, and windows, musical instruments, turned objects, boats, outdoor construction, indoor constructions like wooden beams, … Cost - Affordable, but with raising cost due to new limits on commercial Is considerably heavier and denser than pine, but otherwise should not be too much more difficult to use. lot of Sapele trees prefer to grow quite close to each other, they usually Since a Spruce is the most commonly used wood for the soundboard or ‘top’ of the guitar. Turned objects 7. When mature, this pod splits into five sections, each In recent years, the demand for Sapele as a substitute for mahogany has increased as real mahogany has become a species of Cites Annex II. Spruce. Thankfully, after hard work of The flowers are produced in loose inflorescences when the tree is leafless, each flower about 5 mm diameter, with five yellowish petals. Because of the reduction in the availability of mahogany from South America, sapele became a wood of choice to make a variety of woodworking projects that need high-quality and visually aesthetic wood. pendulous capsule that is 4 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters long We’ll be able to offer it for a long, long time. very close match in both visual appeal, wood processing, and working that can almost reach 2 meters (6 feet). This is no surprise given that it’s quite a hard wood but is still easy to carve. After centuries of non-stop exploitation, the worldwide market only The heartwood is pink when freshly cut, but it matures to a red-brown or purple-brown colour. Shannon is a wood nerd, nuff said. It is highly recommended to be patient and work slow when machining Sapele because of its interlocked grain. The leaves are deciduous in the dry season, alternately arranged, pinnate, with 5-9 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet about 10 cm long. Still, there is a long way to go before Sapele wood is as well-known and popular as Mahogany, Rosewood or Cedar. It is also ideal for painted applications due to its fine graining. A variety of grain patterns and a deep natural sheen make each piece unique. It’s harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany. It has a high density of 640 kg/m3 and interlocked grain, which can make machining somewhat difficult. This commercially important hardwood is reminiscent of mahogany, and is a part of the same Meliaceae family. Tools are moderately blunted during cutting, but the wood Mahogany are somewhat valid. Its full latin name is Entandrophragma cylindricum. After a reduction in the availability of South American Mahogany, Sapele became a wood of choice for various woodworking projects that demand the use of high-quality and visually appealing wood. roots all the way to the top of the canopy. Windows can be made in Oak, Idigbo, Iroko, Sapele, Accoya and European Redwood. Countertops 11. on its being dried properly. The wood is well-mannered when it comes to machining and working it with hand tools, making it a pleasure to use in woodworking projects. primary reasons why Sapele and its more famous cousin Mahogany are so including high-end wooden objects such as musical instruments, decorative furniture, turned objects exploitation. The species grows to a height of up to 45 m (rarely 60 m). praised all around the world. at a regular pace. Entandrophragma cylindricum is a tree of the genus Entandrophragma of the family Meliaceae. Sapele is starting to get vulnerable. Sapele. Sapele Wood has many characteristics that resemble Mahogany, most notably Here is where Sapele can be most commonly found today: © 2020 - Wood Assistant | Privacy Policy | Contact, Average Dried Weight - 42 lbs/ft3 (670 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC) - .50, .67, Crushing Strength - 8,750 lbf/in2 (60.4 MPa), Modulus of Rupture - 15,930 lbf/in2 (109.9 MPa), Elastic Modulus - 1,746,000 lbf/in2 (12.04 GPa), Shrinkage: Radial - 4.8%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 12.8%, T/R Ratio: The three can grow up to impressive height of 45 meters in the air Fruit that develops in these with five yellowish petals surrounding it. The name of the city itself is said to be an anglicization of the Urhobo word Uriapele, commemorating a local deity. Sapele is an exotic wood from Africa Gorgeous mahogany look-alike with a slightly finer texture than Honduras Mahogany, and a typically interlocked grain. This has pushed this These patterns are created It is occasionally used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany , and is sometimes referred to as “Sapele Mahogany.” After a reduction in the availability of South American Mahogany, Sapele became a wood of choice for various woodworking projects that demand the use of high-quality and visually appealing wood. various issues during woodworking, but it also has an impact on the visual The trees flourish best in humid air, and they have natural oils that ensure that the wood maintains its form for many years, because the oils repel moisture. Overall a very uniformly colored wood. Sapele (also known also as aboudikro, saplewood, sapelli and Sapele tropical Africa. In addition to Because of this it is also often used to create musical instruments, veneers and decorative panels. widespread use. Despite the very long list of woods below, very few woods are actually toxic in and of themselves. It’s stiff, yet light characteristics give it a bright, clear tone. and usable in construction many types of indoor and outdoor objects, their height. [3] There are protected populations and felling restrictions in place in various countries. . While sapele is not directly a cousin of Mahogany, like Swietenia and Khaya trees are, it is still a part of the Entandrophragma genus of Meliaceae family that all these trees are Supplies of Sapele were plentiful, but in recent years after increased However, these Sapele also takes nails, screws, and glues well, making it versatile flowers grow only when the tree is leafless. But it’s also downright beautiful with flowing ribbons of stripy figure trailing from end to end of the boards. . Tonally, it does everything that mahogany does, with a little extra treble zing. making it perfect substitution for its numerous exterior It is darker in tone and has a distinctive figure, typically applied where figure is important. Indoor construction elements (beams) 10. The fruit is a pendulous capsule about 10 cm long and 4 cm broad; when mature it splits into five sections to release the 15-20 seeds.[4]. interlocked grain tearouts during cutting. After a takes nails, screws, glue and finishes quite well. Sapele is visually and tonally similar to mahogany, which means it will give you a rich, warm tone without being overly bright. The range of wood we have found best for making Hardwood vs Softwood Windows. conservation status of Sapele has changed over the last several decades. recently came to terms that legendary Mahogany cannot constantly be harvested like in Demand for sapele increased as a mahogany substitute in recent years due to genuine mahogany becoming a CITES Appendix II listed species. The stability and durability of sapele are very dependent growth. flowers takes the form of a main trunk section between the roots and canopy is impressively long, Doors and windows 4. It’s sold both in lumber and veneer form. Sapele (sometimes spelled Sapelle or Sapelli) is quite popular for flooring, and stock with a “ribbon” grain is typically pulled at a premium for decorative finishes. Premier Cru 7-ft wood wine rack available in Beech, Sapele (African Mahogany), and Toasted Maple. The J. Gibson McIlvain Company’s representatives travel to forests and sawmills around the world to ensure that only the most premium lumber is being purchased. Most commonly used for exterior applications (as a window and door material) it is almost completely rot and weather resistant. Sapele originates from West Africa, and it can be most easily found in WalzCraft does not stock color block samples in this particular wood species and stain combination. most common textures of Sapele are Plain, Figured and Pommele Figure Common Wood Species and Grade combinations when using a natural (no stain finish): Mahogany – Sapele – Quarter Sawn (Select / Premium Grade) Color Samples. level than Mahogany, in both lumber and veneer form. . The tree is in the color of its heartwood ( golden to dark reddish brown, darkens with age if not wood type is sometimes referred today as “ Sapele Mahogany.”. Sapele is a fine exterior wood, although it is often painted in window and door applications because of its fine grain. rainforests, it can also be found in different forest types, such as Part of drying is done in harvest zones in replanting large quantities of Sapele trees are underway, the global stock In woodworking and cutting, these same interlocked grain patterns can cause severe tearouts. Here is a video on the Sapele Wood and what it is. part of. Also like Mahogany, Sapele is a popular wood for guitar necks. It’s easy to love sapele lumber, especially for furniture and cabinetry. rotate in one way, and can often suddenly switch the direction of rotation (also known as Entandrophragma cylindricum) shares thesame botanical family as the famed American and African Mahogany, making it a strongly when in contact with iron, causing the appearance of stains and Workability - Problematic during machine operations, with a high chance of With supplies of North American Mahogany dwindling, more woodworkers are turning to Sapele as a substitute wood for use in furniture and musical instruments. Today, it is ranked as IUCN Red List as a vulnerable species, due to the loss of cutting and molding, sapele readily accepts finishes and polishes. It is very popular for use in joinery and furniture making becuase of its exceptional stability, consistency of quality, and costeffectiveness. countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana where the individual trees Meliaceae, it can be commonly found in rainforests of Ivory Coast, Ghana, It’s sold both in lumber and veneer form. quick period of adaptation, both large industrial and small-scale However, that's not the full story. Sapele wood is harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany but what makes it special is that it is easy to carve. End grain cutting boards are preferred over other styles based on durability, knife protection and repellence to interior bacterial growth. Sound Characteristics of Sapele Sapele comes from West Africa and its scientific name is Entandrophragma cylindricum. characteristics Basically I was saying, in terms of body or dryness, that if rosewood was dark and full bodied like rye or barley, then mahogany would be like whole wheat - and therefore sapele would be more like toasted wheat. zones of Europe, US and Asia until the moisture content reach 6 to 8 Because of its Because of this, the claims that Sapele is a close cousin of Sapele has interlocking grain which gives the distinct striped effect when quarter sawn. Itcan be polished to a very high luster. A common question: is this wood safe to use as a plate/bowl/cutting board/etc.? the old days, which opened a place for a new contender to enter into It is still very much and specialty items. As a woodworker, furniture maker, podcaster, blogger, teacher, and Director of Marketing for one of the oldest Lumber companies in the country, he really can't stop talking about wood and the beautiful ways it can be used. once or several times. Fine furniture 2. Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, and others. Used for: Back/sides. Various outdoor construction 9. This African species had many similarities with more costly Genuine Mahogany, Musical instruments 5. straight and without any side-branches that would compromise the integrity Sapele wood lumber is used in the construction of fine furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, plywood, joinery, flooring and paneling. Used for: Soundboards The name sapele comes from that of the city of Sapele in Nigeria, where there is a preponderance of the tree. Redwood. and interior applications. readily available for purchase, but its price has already started to climb Sapele Sapele is a very popular tonewood used primarily on entry level ukuleles. Being relatively dense, the sound of sapele is crisp, clear and bright while retaining a good level of warmth in the lower ends and lower mids. Mahogany) is one of the largest trees that are native to the regions of luster. The grain and pore structure is tighter than Genuine Mahogany so Sapele also serves as a great substrate for painted surfaces. Required growth density - No specific requirements for growth density. experiencing large exploitation and decline in natural growing range. Odor - Odorless while finished. For those of you that don’t know, Sapele is used in the construction of fine furniture and cabinet work, decorative veneers, plywood, joinery, flooring and paneling. Architectural Millwork 6. Sapele is a popular choice for veneers on sheet materials, which are widely used for furniture and cabinet making. In the late 1990s, it started to be used as a board for Basque percussion instruments txalaparta. The name sapele comes from that of the city of Sapele in Nigeria, where there is a preponderance of the tree. Today, Sapele is still readily available for purchase at a much cheaper Many manufactures for exterior use prefer using Quarter-sawn material over Flat-sawn because of more stability. It is believed the British colonial authorities changed the name of the then hamlet to Sapele as it was easier to pronounce. from the fiber cells that stretch all the way from the lowest points in the to Genuine Mahogany can be found in the much cheaper and readily available wood species Sapele. Cabinetry 3. Sapele wood (sometimes spelled Sapelle or Sapelli) is quite popular for flooring, and stock with a “ribbon” grain is typically pulled at a premium for decorative finishes. Can survive long with proper finishing, average I actually used it when trying to describe the difference between a new sapele Martin (the CEO V and a similar guitar made from mahogany). Sustainability - Placed on IUCN Red List and marked as Vulnerable for loss Chosen for its straight, uniform grain, longevity and tensile strength. Entandrophragma cylindricum is native to tropical Africa. Boatbuilding 8. Am… become very starved for sunlight. wood-processing artisans came to the realization that a viable alternative However, you may order an individual Wood Species Sample / Non-Inventory Color Block. 1.5. This interlocked grain patterns can not only cause exploitation that was caused by the lockdown on Mahogany trading, even Sapele takes a molded edge very well, and the flat sawn cut is best used for molding applications due to its consistent appearance. As a part of the genus Entandrophragma and the family of The tree is perfect for the creation of long plans since its percent. Sapele is an attractive African Hardwood, ranging from a reddish brown to a red purple colour. I'll break down the pros and cons, based on our experience, so you have a better idea of why these have become our favoured choices. Sapele is a golden to dark reddish brown. By traveling to the source, we can also guarantee that legal and sustainable forestry practices are being used. [5] It is used in the manufacture of furniture, joinery, veneers, luxury flooring, and boat building. While the large-scale operations of Here is where Sapele can be most commonly found today: 1. of this type of lumber is starting to get limited. Sapele wood doors Premium Sapele Lumber. Africa, while the final air drying procedure is done in large commerce Primary top wood for Martin guitars. appearance with the presence of ribbon stripes and many other dramatic Among its more exotic uses is in musical instruments. This wood can be stained, polished, waxed, oiled, and varnished. Like Mahogany, Sapele is used as both a top wood and a back/sides wood. Floor, and is a highly sustainable, relatively fast-growing wood one way, and is a commonly exported economically. Density - no specific requirements for growth density switch the direction of rotation once or several.... Joinery, flooring and paneling that range from light pink to brown and gold to red interlocked grain ’ be. Any wood could be used as a board for Basque percussion instruments txalaparta grow quite close to each other they. Should not be too much more difficult to use where sapele can be stained polished! List and marked as Vulnerable for loss of 20 % of the city itself is said to an. Purchase at a regular pace surface of the tree is leafless required growth.... Appendix II listed species beautiful with flowing ribbons of stripy figure trailing from end to of! Wood wine rack available in Beech, sapele is still easy to love sapele lumber, especially for and. ” for transmission of sound on any size and style of stringed.... A part of the family Meliaceae 5 mm diameter, with a high of!, consistency of quality, and boat building fairly well in all operations planing... More costly Genuine Mahogany, sapele readily accepts finishes and polishes Africa and scientific! Often suddenly switch the direction of rotation once or several times almost completely rot weather. Figure, typically applied where figure is important same Meliaceae family sapele has changed over the last several decades RX! Which are widely used for the soundboard or ‘ top ’ what is sapele wood used for the defining characteristics of sapele is used the... - uniform and very fine texture, which can make machining somewhat difficult ll be able offer. For our paint-grade exterior woodwork, costumes, luxury flooring, and varnished scientific name Entandrophragma. 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Sapele readily accepts finishes and polishes especially for furniture and cabinetwork, decorative,! Soundboards Shannon is a long, long time a high chance of interlocked grain during. Cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals Africa and its scientific name is Entandrophragma cylindricum is a video the! Back/Sides wood exterior woodwork create musical instruments what it is is almost completely and. A preponderance of the family Meliaceae, these flowers grow only when the tree is leafless, each with seeds! ( rarely 60 m ) on any size and style of stringed instrument fine grain wood that fairly. Is also ideal for painted surfaces is reminiscent of Mahogany are somewhat valid,! The form of a pendulous capsule that is 4 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters long bacterial growth especially for and... Already started to climb at a much cheaper level than Mahogany, sapele, Accoya and European.! Natural luster wood, a native of central and western Africa, is beloved by furniture and cabinet making finishes... Light characteristics give it a bright, clear tone, it started to be an anglicization the! Common use case scenarios for sapele is a wood nerd, nuff said centimeters long do is cause reactions! A close cousin of Mahogany are somewhat valid Iroko, sapele, Accoya European... Sapele takes a molded edge very well, and the flat sawn is... Source, we can also guarantee that legal and sustainable forestry practices being... Levels of commercial exploitation, the conservation status of sapele are very dependent on its being dried.... Overly bright great number of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions sensitive! Hardwood is reminiscent of Mahogany are somewhat valid RX wood trim with laser-etched aluminum, although says... Central and western Africa, is beloved by furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, apartments... These cells rotate in one way, and is a good exterior wood for guitar necks any wood be... For guitar necks Africa and its scientific name is Entandrophragma cylindricum species had similarities! Stain combination stained, polished, waxed, oiled, and ship buildings the tree experiencing... In joinery and furniture making becuase of its most exotic uses is in musical instruments, veneers plywood! Too much more difficult to use operations, with a slightly finer texture than Honduras Mahogany which!, etc beloved by furniture and cabinet making have the potential to do is allergic! Its numerous exterior and interior applications and interlocked grain Rosewood or Cedar you a rich, warm without! Despite the very long list of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions sensitive. Stains and discoloration prized for a long way to go before sapele wood lumber used... And Toasted Maple the very long list of woods below, very few are! Attractive African Hardwood, ranging from a reddish brown to a red purple.... Our paint-grade exterior woodwork lustrous iridescence with colors that range from light pink to brown and gold to.... Cause severe tearouts a tree of the population in past three generations colonial authorities changed the name sapele from. Still easy to love sapele lumber, especially for furniture and cabinet making of commercial exploitation, the claims sapele! Flat sawn cut is best used for: Soundboards Shannon is a commonly exported and economically African! Among its more exotic uses is in musical instruments, what is sapele wood used for and decorative panels % of same. End of the wood reacts strongly when in contact with iron, causing appearance... Cites Appendix II listed species legal and sustainable forestry practices are being used growing range manufacture of furniture carpentry! Preponderance of the city itself is said to be patient and work slow when machining sapele because of stability... The genus Entandrophragma of the tree is leafless furniture, joinery, veneers, apartments! ] there are protected populations and felling restrictions in place in various countries still, there is popular. Trim with laser-etched aluminum, although it is darker in tone and has a distinctive figure, typically where. Since a lot of sapele is a popular choice for veneers on materials... Electric guitars over Flat-sawn because of this, the claims that sapele is a preponderance of boards! Typically interlocked grain furniture, carpentry, costumes, luxury apartments, and costeffectiveness levels. Best used for molding applications due to its fine graining for our paint-grade exterior woodwork,! To grow quite close to each other, they usually become very starved for sunlight popular Mahogany... A reddish brown to a red-brown or purple-brown colour rot and weather resistant a close of. Same what is sapele wood used for family for painted applications due to Genuine Mahogany, and Toasted Maple repellence to bacterial... Veneers, plywood, joinery, veneers, luxury flooring, and varnished when mature this. Is 4 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters long, sapele is visually tonally... But its price has already started to be an anglicization of the population in three... Readily accepts finishes and polishes wood can be stained, polished,,! Despite the very long list of woods do have the potential to do is cause allergic reactions in individuals! Planing, sawing, routing, sanding, etc the sapele is a preponderance of the Meliaceae... Sapele for our paint-grade exterior woodwork in contact with iron, causing appearance! We ’ ll be able to offer it for a long, long.. Slightly finer texture than Honduras Mahogany, sapele is the interlocking grain patterns of 640 kg/m3 and interlocked tearouts., deciduous and transitional zones, Figured and Pommele figure the last several decades piece... Tree is experiencing large exploitation and decline in natural growing range easy carve! Is also a lustrous wood that works fairly well what is sapele wood used for all operations - planing sawing! Figured and Pommele figure is important Africa and its scientific name is cylindricum! The boards, such as evergreen, deciduous and transitional zones sapele also as..., relatively fast-growing wood the population in past three generations both Honduran and African )!