Chlorophora Excelsa (Iroko)

Scientific Name
Chlorophora excelsa

Trade Name
Iroko

Family Name
Moraceae

Synonyms
Morus excelsa, Chlorophora alba, Chlorophora excelsa, Chlorophora tenuifolia, Maclura excelsa, Milicia africana

Common Names
Abang, African oak, African teak, Agui, Akede, Bakana, Bang, Banghi, Bobang, Bonzo, Bush oak, Bush teak, Bwagashanga, Corkwood, Elowa, Elua, Elui, Emang, Geh, Guele, Guh, Gutumba, Intule, Iroko, Kambala, Kimurumba, Logo asagu, Loko, Lusanga, Mamangi, Mandji, Mbala, Mbara, Mereira, Mgunda, Minarui, Mokongo, Moloundou, Molundu, Moreira, Muberry, Mucoco, Murie, Murumba, Mururi, Mutumba, Mutumbav, Muvule, Mvule, Mvuli, Nsan, Ntong, Obas tree, Odji, Odoum, Odum, Oduna, Ofryio, Olia, Olua, Olwaa, Oroko, Oroko ulokoodigpe, Rock elm, Roco, Rokko, Sanga, Semei, Semli, Sime, Simli, Simme, Ssare, Teak, Tema, Toumbohiro noir, Tule, Tule mufala, Uklobce, Ulok, Uloko-mushinogbon, Ulundu, Vai

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zimbabwe

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Core Stock, Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Golf club heads, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lock gates, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Stairworks, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile

It is classified as Vulnerable in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. It has also been classified as Endangered in Benin and Congo

Heartwood Color

Lighter vessel lines are conspicuous on flat sawn surfaces. Large deposits of calcium carbonate, with darker colored surrounding material are usually present. Yellow bands of soft tissue are reported to form a zig-zag pattern on all surfaces.

Sapwood Color

Grain

Texture

Luster

Natural Growth Defects

Natural Durability

Light-Induced Color Change

Toxicity

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

Kiln Drying Rate

Tree Identification

Tree Size

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a regular source of timber. Timber export is regular except in the Ivory Coast where exportation of the material in log form is prohibited.

Iroko is available in moderate quantities in long lengths, wide boards, and in the form of veneers on the European market are priced in the same range as the lower cost hardwoods.

Availability in the U.S. is rather limited, but Iroko is sold at comparatively inexpensive prices when available. Iroko is substituted for Teak in many applications, since it performs just as well as Teak and is less expensive.

Comments
Chemical resistant

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect

Boring

Cutting Resistance

Gluing

Mortising

Moulding

Movement in Service

Nailing

Planing

Resistance to Abrasion

Resistance to Impregnation

Response to Hand Tools

Routing & Recessing

Sanding

Screwing

Turning

Veneering Qualities

Steam Bending

Painting

Polishing

Staining

Varnishing

Strength Properties

Numerical Data

References
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