Iroko — African Durability, Grain and Uses

Iroko — African Durability, Grain and Uses

Iroko is the commercial name most commonly associated with Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia, large tropical African trees in the mulberry family (Moraceae). The tree shown below is Milicia excelsa.

Species profile

Botanical scope Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia. Species-level identification of finished timber can be difficult, so Exotica Wood uses the trade name Iroko unless provenance supports a more precise identification.

Range & habitat Native to tropical Africa. M. excelsa is widespread across West, Central and East Africa and occurs primarily in seasonally dry tropical habitat.

Colour & appearance Heartwood ranges from yellow-gold to medium brown and commonly darkens with age. The pale yellow sapwood is usually clearly distinct from the heartwood.

Grain & texture Grain is commonly interlocked and can become irregular, with a medium to coarse texture and good natural lustre.

Density & hardness Representative published values for Iroko are about 660 kg/m³ average dried weight and roughly 1,190 lbf Janka hardness.

Workability Generally easy to machine, turn, glue and finish. Interlocked grain can tear during surfacing, and naturally occurring calcium-carbonate deposits can dull cutting edges.

Odour No strong characteristic odour is generally reported.

Durability Iroko is widely regarded as very durable and has good natural resistance to decay and insect attack, which explains its long history in exterior work and boatbuilding.

Typical uses Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, exterior joinery, boatbuilding, architectural work and turned objects.

Identification note The trade name “Iroko” can cover more than one Milicia species. Colour alone is not sufficient for species-level identification.

Visual reference

Mature Milicia excelsa Iroko tree

Grain variations

Iroko wood grain, Exotica Wood
Iroko wood grain variation, Exotica Wood
Iroko wood texture and grain, Exotica Wood

Exotica Wood example

Real Iroko blank from Exotica Wood

EVIDENCE TRAIL

Go deeper. Verify the material.

Exotica Woods separates trade names, visual clues and confirmed botanical identity. These specialist references let you continue the investigation beyond this article.

01
Kew — Plants of the World Online

Accepted botanical names, synonyms, native range, distribution and plant-level taxonomy.

 02
InsideWood — Wood Anatomy

Microscopic and macroscopic anatomy using IAWA wood-identification features and reference images.

 03
USDA Forest Products Laboratory

Wood structure, moisture, physical properties, mechanical behaviour, drying, durability and engineering context.

 04
CITES — Timber Identification

Identification resources and trade-regulation material for listed timber groups and species.

 05
IUCN Red List

Species-level conservation assessments, range, population trend, threats and conservation actions when assessed.
Identification rule: wood anatomy can often narrow an unknown sample to a genus or group, but species-level identification is not always possible from wood alone. When the evidence does not justify certainty, Exotica keeps the identification conservative.