Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa)
Family - Moracea
Distribution - Ivory Coast to Angola, and from Sudan to Mozambique on the East coast.
Characteristics: When freshly cut the heartwood is a distinct yellow in colour, but on exposure to light it quickly becomes golden brown. The grain is usually interlocked and the texture is rather coarse but even.
Working Qualities: Iroko works fairly well with most tools, although with some dulling effect on their cutting edges. On quarter - sawn stock there is a tendency for grain to pick up but an excellent finish can be obtained if the grain is filled. It takes nails and screws well, and can be glued satisfactorily.