123 – Wood Cell Structure & Sapele

Entandrophragma cyclindricum or Sapele has nearly supplanted Genuine Mahogany since the Appendix II addition in 2008.  Sapele grows across tropical Africa and is exported in large volumes with extremely healthy forestry plans behind it.  The tree is enormous and produces thick, wide, and long boards easily with zero defects.

Sapele is widely known for its highly uniform ribbon striped appearance when quartersawn and it is one of the few species that is commercially available sorted for quartered grain.  Often sliced for veneer in both flat and quartered cuts and used widely for cabinetry and exterior trim and structures like decks and pergolas.  While it does have some larger movement numbers, it is quite stable with a low T/R ratio and therefore it ends up being used quite a bit for exterior window and doors construction.