Color/Appearance : Heartwood ranges from a pale pink to light brown. Color darkens with age. Narrow heartwood is grayish white, not clearly demarcated from heartwood. The grain patterns can bear a resemblance to mahogany, and one of okoume’s lesser-used commercial names is Gaboon mahogany, though it bears no relation to either African mahogany (Khaya spp.) or the New World Swietenia species.

Grain/Texture : Grain is straight to wavy or slightly interlocked. Texture is medium, with good natural luster.

Rot Resistance : Rated as non-durable; poor insect resistance.

Workability : High silica content has a pronounced blunting effect on cutters. Planing and shaping may produce tearout or fuzzy surfaces. Glues and finishes well.

Odor : No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity : Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, okoume has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as asthma-like symptoms, coughing, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). These hazards are especially pertinent as okoume is often processed locally in workplaces with minimal safety standards. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability : Most commonly sold as veneer and/or plywood, okoume should be moderately priced for an imported hardwood, though highly figured pieces of veneer or solid wood are much more expensive.

Sustainability : This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.

Common Uses : Veneer, plywood, boatbuilding, musical instruments, furniture, and interior millwork.

Comments : Sometimes simply called gabon or gaboon (not to be confused with Gaboon ebony), the wood is commercially important in the country of Gabon, where it’s the principle timber species. Even though it’s used almost exclusively in veneer form in North America, exports of both veneer and solid lumber are much more common in Asia and Europe.