Wood Species Guide
Okoume
Aucoumea klaineana
Also called: Okoumé, Gaboon, Gabon, Angouma
About the name “Okoume”
Okoume is often sold as "gaboon", which can be confused with gaboon ebony, a completely different black wood. Most okoume in the US arrives as marine and boat-building plywood.
What Okoume looks like
Light pinkish brown to salmon, darkening a little over time. Some veneer shows a soft striped or mottled figure.
Grain and texture
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a medium, even texture and a soft luster.
Working Okoume: planing, cutting and gluing
Light and soft, so it cuts easily, but the silica in the wood dulls blades faster than you would expect. The surface can be fuzzy, so sand with fresh paper. It glues very well, which is one reason it is the standard face for marine plywood.
Finishing Okoume: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes paint, varnish and epoxy well. Boat builders routinely coat it in epoxy and fiberglass; seal coat first so the porous face doesn't release bubbles, and cover it from UV.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not rot resistant and vulnerable to insects, so outdoors it needs a full sealed coating. It is light and fairly stable. In Florida, okoume plywood is fine outdoors only when fully encapsulated and kept off standing water.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
For most of our customers okoume means marine plywood: boats, paddleboards, cabinet backs and lightweight panels that get an epoxy coat. Solid okoume lumber is uncommon. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Okoume
Marine and aircraft plywood, boatbuilding, veneer, light furniture, interior millwork and some musical instruments.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to population decline from logging and habitat loss.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Okoume dust is a reported irritant of skin, eyes and airways, and some workers develop asthma-like symptoms. Control dust at the source.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + respirator when sanding; eye protection
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Okoume dust has been reported to irritate skin, eyes and airways, with asthma-like symptoms and pink eye in some workers. Use dust extraction and a respirator when sanding.
Okoume in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Okoume 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.
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