Wood Species Guide

Afzelia

Afzelia spp. (African species such as A. africana, A. bipindensis, A. pachyloba)

Also called: Doussie, Linke, Lingue, Apa, Chanfuta, Pod Mahogany, Makha (Asian species, A. xylocarpa)

Afzelia is a hard, stable, rot-resistant tropical wood with a warm golden-red color. It is excellent for outdoor furniture and floors, and its Asian burls are some of the most dramatic slabs around.
ImportHardwoodTeak & Teak Alternatives
Good forOutdoor & Rot-ResistantCITES-Restricted

About the name “Afzelia”

Afzelia is a genus with species in both Africa and Southeast Asia. Most lumber is African, while the famous figured burls usually come from Asian species (often sold as Afzelia xylocarpa burl). They look and work similarly but are listed differently under CITES.

What Afzelia looks like

Golden to reddish brown heartwood that darkens over time. The sapwood is a distinct pale yellow.

Grain and texture

Medium to coarse texture, usually interlocked grain. Pores sometimes hold white or yellow mineral deposits.

Working Afzelia: planing, cutting and gluing

Hard and fairly heavy. Interlocked grain can tear out, and the wood dulls cutters moderately, so keep carbide sharp. It glues well and holds screws strongly if you pre-drill.

Finishing Afzelia: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Takes oil and film finishes well. Grain filler helps if you want a mirror-smooth film. Seal coat before an epoxy pour, and test any finish over the mineral deposits, which can show as light flecks.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Very durable, resistant to rot and termites, and one of the more stable tropical hardwoods. A great match for Florida lanais, outdoor benches and anything that sees humidity swings.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Afzelia is a workhorse for outdoor furniture and flooring because it moves little and shrugs off rot. Burl slabs make stunning coffee tables and river-table centerpieces; those are usually the Asian species and carry their own price tag. We do not stock it, but ask us and we can often source boards or burls. Keep an eye on the sapwood line when laying out a slab glue-up.

Common uses for Afzelia

Outdoor furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, stair treads, cabinetry, veneer and burl tabletops.

Sustainability and CITES status

African populations are listed in CITES Appendix II since February 2023 (CoP19, annotation #17). Several African species are rated Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Asian populations are not covered by that listing.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating ModerateWhat the ratings mean
  • Skin irritation
  • Eye irritation
  • Respiratory / asthma

Reported to irritate skin, eyes and airways and to cause sneezing. Serious reactions are uncommon.

In the shop
Dust collection + mask when sanding; gloves for sensitive skin
Food contact
Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Reported to cause skin, eye and airway irritation and sneezing. Serious reactions are uncommon, but use dust collection and a mask.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Afzelia in stock now

Ask us. We can often source it.

We don't have Afzelia listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.

Call (239) 331-5925 Book a slab & lumber visit

Similar woods: Teak & Teak Alternatives

See the Teak & Teak Alternatives group guide

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