Brown Albizia
Scientific name: Albizia ferruginea
Overview
Brown Albizia is a large tropical hardwood native to the rainforests of West and Central Africa. The species is valued for its attractive golden to reddish-brown heartwood, moderate density, and good overall working characteristics. Although it is not among Africa’s most widely traded hardwoods, Brown Albizia is used for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, and general construction. Its attractive appearance and reliable performance also make it an interesting species for collectors of African hardwoods.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Brown Albizia
- Scientific Name: Albizia ferruginea
- Region: African Hardwoods (West & Central Africa)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 42 lbs/ft³ (675 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,350 lbf
- Color: Golden brown to reddish brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Brown Albizia develops a warm golden-brown heartwood that gradually darkens to a richer reddish-brown with age. The grain is generally straight, although slight interlocking may occur, occasionally producing attractive ribbon figure on quarter-sawn lumber. The wood’s medium texture and moderate natural luster provide an appealing appearance for both structural and decorative applications.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden brown to reddish-brown heartwood
- Medium texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Moderate natural luster
- Moderately heavy hardwood
Working Properties
Brown Albizia is generally easy to machine with both hand and power tools. Minor tear-out may occur where the grain becomes interlocked, but sharp cutters usually produce clean surfaces. The wood glues, sands, stains, and finishes well, making it suitable for a wide variety of woodworking projects.
- Machines well with hand and power tools
- Turns well
- Sands to a smooth finish
- Accepts stains, oils, and clear finishes well
- Occasional tear-out may occur in interlocked grain
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Appropriate dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining.
Common Uses
Because of its attractive appearance, moderate strength, and good workability, Brown Albizia is used in a variety of interior and general woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Interior joinery
- Decorative veneer
- Millwork
- Woodturning
- General construction
Sustainability & Notes
Brown Albizia is distributed throughout the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, where it is harvested primarily for regional use with limited international export. Although the species is not currently considered globally threatened, responsible forestry practices remain important to ensure healthy forest ecosystems and sustainable long-term timber production.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Tropical Albizia – A closely related African species that shares similar appearance and woodworking characteristics but is generally found farther south in tropical Africa.
West African Albizia – Another African Albizia species with comparable grain, density, and woodworking performance.
Peacock Flower Albizia – An Albizia species known for its similar workability.
Related Guides
Albizia Species Guide – Explore the diversity, distribution, and woodworking characteristics of Albizia species from around the world.
Best Woods for Furniture Making – Learn what properties make certain hardwoods excellent choices for quality furniture and cabinetry.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time – Discover how exposure to light and age affect the appearance of tropical hardwoods after milling.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Brown Albizia is an excellent collector species because it represents one of Africa’s lesser-known commercial hardwoods within the diverse Albizia genus. Its warm coloration, dependable machining characteristics, and limited availability outside its native range make it a worthwhile addition to collections featuring tropical hardwoods. A documented sample also provides an excellent comparison with both African and Asian members of the Albizia group.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.