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Makore

Makore

Makore(scientific name: Tieghemellaheckelii and T. Africana), has a heartwood of pink to red-brown color, with streaking color variation. Sapwood is somewhat yellow, about 3 inches wide, and is distinguishable from the heartwood. Its texture is fine and even, luster is good and grain is usually straight, although can be wavy or interlocked.

Makore is commonly found in western and central Africa. Its heartwood is very durable and resistant to insects.

Janka Hardness :

5,350 N(1,200 lbf)

Average Dried Weight :

685 kg/m3(43 lbs/ft3)

Workability :

It is generally easy to work with. Interlocked grain can cause tear-out during machining and planning. High silica content means it has a significant blunting effect on cutting tools. It is good with glues and turns and finishes well. Direct contact with iron can cause discoloration and staining.

1

Pricing / Availability

It is a moderately priced imported wood that is adequately available in the forms of veneer and lumber. However, the figured grain patterned variants of Makore in both veneer and board forms are quite expensive.

2

Sustainability

It is listed as ‘endangered’ in the IUCN’s Red List after losing more than half of its population in just the last 3 generations; with some of the loss being down to the natural decline of its species and some of it is down to human exploitation. It is, however, not mentioned in the CITES Appendices.

3

Common Uses

It has a wide range of applications since it is used in building boats, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, as plywood, in musical instruments; even in turned items and small specialty wooden objects.

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