Iroko
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific nameChlorophora excelsa
Trade / common nameIroko
FamilyMoraceae
RegionMiddle Africa · Western Africa · Eastern Africa · Africa
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
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
🇦🇴Angola
historical
🇧🇯Benin
historical
🇧🇮Burundi
historical
🇨🇲Cameroon
historical
🇨🇬Congo
historical
🇨🇮Côte d'Ivoire
historical
🇨🇩Democratic Republic of the Congo
historical
🇬🇦Gabon
captured
🇬🇲Gambia
historical
🇬🇭Ghana
historical
🇰🇪Kenya
historical
🇱🇷Liberia
historical
🇲🇿Mozambique
historical
🇳🇬Nigeria
historical
🇷🇼Rwanda
historical
🇸🇱Sierra Leone
historical
🇹🇿Tanzania
captured
🇹🇬Togo
historical
🇺🇬Uganda
historical
🇿🇼Zimbabwe
historical
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Iroko
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Iroko
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Iroko
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Iroko
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Projects & Inspiration
Explore possible applications, then tell Woodley what you are interested in making.
Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Fine woodworkingDecorative detailsSmall crafted objects
What would you like to make?
Tell Woodley what you have in mind. Woodley can help explore whether Iroko is suitable and guide the next steps.
Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Brown
Yellow
White
Red
Orange
Tan
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale brown
Greenish to greyish
Yellow bands
Dark brown
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
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Red
Brown
Yellow
White
White to yellow
Well defined
Same as heartwood
Paler than heartwood
Luster
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Medium
High
Lustrous
Pronounced
Low
Uses & Applications
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
Product Sources
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
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.
Full Technical Species Profile
The public profile includes identification, distribution, linked imagery and selected public-facing species information. Sign in to use your membership access. The complete technical record is available with an eligible paid membership.
Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.