Afromosia
Kokrudua (Ghana, Ivory Coast), Assamela (Ivory Coast)
Afrormosia is found in the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Zaire, and to a small extent in Nigeria.
A large tree (except in Nigeria), it reaches a height of 45m and a diameter of 1.2m or slightly more.
Sapwood small about 12mm wide, slightly lighter in color than the brownish heartwood. When first cut the heartwood is yellowish- brown, darkening on exposure to a pleasing brownish yellow, somewhat resembling teak, but with a finer texture, and lacking the oily nature of Teak. The grain is straight to interlocked, and the wood weighs about 710 kg/m3 when dried.
Afrormosia is superior to teak in most of its mechanical properties and is very similar to home grown beech, except in resistance to compression where it is about 20 per cent stronger.
Very Durable
The wood works well with only a slight tendency to pick up, but a cutting angle of 20 degrees usually produces a good finish. It can be glued and polished satisfactory, but tends to split when nailed.
Afrormosia can be used as an alternative to teak for many purposes where a strong, stable ,and durable wood is required . It is used for furniture, high glass joinery, flooring, boat building, shop fitting. It should not be used in contact with ferrous metals in wet conditions since these may corrode, and the presence of tannins in the wood can cause staining.