About Dibetou
Dibetou, botanically known as Lovoa trichilioides, is a West and Central African hardwood that has earned a distinct place in the international timber trade for its decorative appearance and balanced working characteristics. For B2B buyers sourcing from Africa, Dibetou offers a combination of visual appeal and practical machinability that suits both furniture manufacturing and interior joinery applications.
This overview draws on the species profile maintained by Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited, a timber trading company with 16 years of experience in the African timber trade and an integrated supply chain network spanning 100 Chinese-invested timber factories across Africa.The heartwood of Dibetou is golden-brown, characteristically marked with dark streaks that run through the grain. This streaking is one of the species' defining visual features and is frequently compared to walnut in appearance, giving Dibetou a decorative quality that stands out among the lighter and more uniform African hardwoods.
The wood is also known for its moderate durability and workability, which makes it a practical choice for manufacturers who need a material that machines predictably without demanding specialized tooling or handling procedures. Because the material is neither exceptionally dense nor unusually soft, it sits in a middle range that suits a wide variety of production environments.In terms of technical parameters, Dibetou has a density of approximately 0.5 to 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter.
This places it among the medium-density African hardwoods, lighter than species such as Azobe, Padouk, or Wenge, but heavier than lightweight options like Ayous or Okume. The moderate density contributes directly to the wood's workability, allowing it to be cut, shaped, and finished with relative ease.
