Sapele, Quilted

(Entandrophragma cylindricum)

Africa

The geographical range of Sapele is reported to extend from the Ivory Coast to the Cameroon, eastward through Zaire to Uganda. It is reported to be found in different forest types, including deciduous, evergreen, and transitional zones. The species is reported to be relatively secure within parts of its range but it is known to be Vulnerable in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. It is considered as a Candidate for an environmental status assessment in Ghana and Uganda because it is suspected to be either Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable in those areas.

Quilted Sapele is also refered to as Aboudikroe, Assi, Assie Sapelli, Lifari, M’boyo, Muyovu, Penkwa, Sapele, Sapele Mahogany, Sapeli, Sapelli, and Undianuno.

Sapele is a large rain forest tree from Africa. It is reported to grow to heights of 150 feet (45 m), with trunk diameters of 48 to 72 inches (120 to 180 cm). Boles are usually clear and cylindrical to heights of 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m).

The sapwood is gray-pink or cream in color. And the heartwood is pink when freshly cut with a light cedar-like scent. But as the wood seasons its coloration changes to a red-brown or purple-brown color. The grain is moderately interlocked or wavy. Quarter cut Sapele is reported to yield a ribbon, regular stripe or bee's wing. Other cuts feature various desirable patterns, including fiddlebacks, roe or a mottled design, especially in wood containing wavy grain. The grain is interlocked and contains an extemely intense quilt or waterfall figure.