Latin name - Entandrophragma cylindricum

Also known as: saplewood (Nigeria), aboudikro (Ivory Coast), Sapelli (Cameroons)

Wood type – Hardwood

Distribution - It is found in the rain forests of West Africa from the Ivory Coast through Ghana and Nigeria to the Cameroons, and it extends eastwards to Uganda and Tanzania

The Tree- A very large tree with cylindrical bole and small or no buttresses. Grows to a height of 45m or more, and a diameter at breast height of 10m or slightly more

The Timber - The sapwood is pale yellow or whitish, the heartwood pinkish when freshly cut, darkening to typical mahogany colour of reddish-brown. Sapele is characterised by a marked and regular stripe, particularly pronounced on quarter-sawn surfaces. Occasionally mottle figure is present, It is fairly close textured, and the grain is interlocked. It is harder and heavier than African mahogany. It has a pronounced cedar-like scent when freshly cut.