About Sapelli (Sapele)
Sapelli, botanically Entandrophragma cylindricum, is one of the flagship African hardwood species in our range at HongKong Senheda Wood. It is a reddish-brown heartwood timber with interlocked, lustrous grain, a density of approximately 0.65 g/cm³, and a reputation for being easy to machine.
We supply Sapelli as part of our broader portfolio of African timber, sourced through our network of partner factories and sawmills across the continent and shipped to markets including China, Vietnam, India, and the Middle East.Sapelli occupies a practical middle ground in the African hardwood spectrum. It is denser and more durable than the lightweight white woods such as Ayous, Okoume, and Eyoum, which typically fall in the 0.35–0.5 g/cm³ range, yet it remains far easier to work than extremely dense species like Azobe, Tali, or Wenge, which reach densities of 0.9 g/cm³ and above and can be difficult to machine.
At around 0.65 g/cm³, Sapelli offers a balance that suits both structural and decorative applications, and its interlocked grain gives finished surfaces a natural luster that many buyers find attractive for visible woodwork.The species is closely related to Sipo (Entandrophragma utile), which shares a similar density of approximately 0.65 g/cm³ and a comparable reddish-brown heartwood. The distinction our materials note is that Sipo is less lustrous than Sapelli.
For buyers specifying appearance-grade material, that difference in luster can matter, particularly where the wood will be finished and displayed rather than painted or concealed.On machinability, Sapelli's ease of working is a genuine commercial advantage. It reduces tooling wear and processing time compared with denser African hardwoods, and it allows suppliers and manufacturers to plan production with fewer complications.
