Iroko
Name:
Milicia excelsa
Origin:
Tropical Africa
Colour:
Heartwood is usually a yellow to golden or medium brown, with colour tending to darken over time. Pale yellow sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
Grain:
Iroko has a medium to coarse texture, with open pores and an interlocked grain.
Rot Resistance:
Iroko is very durable, and is resistant to both rot and insect attack; it’s sometimes used as a substitute for Teak.
Typical Applications:
Veneer, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, turned items, and other small wood items.
Density:
660 kg/m³ average
Workability:
Generally easy to work, with the exception of its interlocked grain, which may cause some tear-out during surfacing operations. Also, deposits of calcium carbonate are sometimes present, which can have a significant dulling effect on cutters. Iroko glues and finishes well.