Bubinga
Scientific name: Guibourtia tessmannii
Overview
Bubinga is a dense African hardwood known for its rich reddish-brown color, fine texture, and occasional dramatic figuring. Native to Central and West Africa, it has long been valued for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and decorative woodworking.
In addition to its visual appeal, Bubinga is prized for its strength and stability, making it suitable for both structural and decorative applications. Highly figured pieces are especially sought after for statement work.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Bubinga
- Scientific Name: Guibourtia tessmannii
- Region: African Hardwoods (Central & West Africa)
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 56 lbs/ft³ (890 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,410 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to purple-brown with darker streaks
- Grain: Often interlocked
- Texture: Medium to fine with a natural luster
Identification Characteristics
Bubinga is most easily identified by its reddish-brown coloration and subtle to pronounced figuring. Some boards display dramatic patterns such as waterfall, pommele, or quilted figure, especially when cut as veneer.
Key identification traits include:
- Uniform reddish to purplish-brown tone
- Fine, even texture
- Occasional striking figure in figured stock
- High density and weight compared to many hardwoods
Working Properties
Bubinga is generally considered moderately difficult to work due to its hardness and density.
- Machines and turns well with sharp tools
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Glues and finishes reliably
- Polishes to a smooth, high-luster surface
- Excellent dimensional stability once properly dried
Its combination of strength and finish quality makes it a favorite for precision woodworking.
Safety Note
Dust from Bubinga can cause skin and respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended when cutting, sanding, or machining this species.
Common Uses
Bubinga is widely used in both functional and decorative applications, including:
- Fine furniture and cabinetry
- Veneer and decorative panels
- Tabletops and counters
- Turned objects
- Musical instruments and specialty items
Highly figured Bubinga is often reserved for accent pieces or focal surfaces.
Sustainability & Notes
Some Bubinga species are subject to CITES Appendix II regulations, meaning trade is monitored to ensure sustainable harvesting. Availability may vary depending on region and legal restrictions.
Buyers should verify sourcing and prioritize responsibly harvested material from reputable suppliers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
African Rosewood – A closely related species in the Guibourtia genus known for its strength and attractive reddish-brown coloration, often used in furniture and decorative woodworking.
Ovangkol – Another Guibourtia species valued for its durability and varied grain patterns, commonly used in furniture and musical instruments.
Sapele – A dense African hardwood with similar applications in furniture and veneers, typically showing more pronounced ribbon grain.
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Understanding Chatoyance in Wood
Explore Understanding Chatoyance in Wood to learn how grain orientation and reflected light can create the shifting visual depth seen in highly figured examples of this species.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Choosing the right finish helps enhance the natural color and grain patterns found in decorative hardwoods.
Bubinga vs. Rosewood
Explore Bubinga vs. Rosewood to compare these premium hardwoods in color, figure, density, workability, and use in furniture and musical instruments.
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
Bubinga is highly valued by collectors for its exceptional figure, density, and dramatic visual impact. Well-seasoned material often displays a deep reddish-brown to purplish tone, frequently highlighted by striking grain patterns such as pommele, waterfall, quilted, or flame figure that become more pronounced with age and finish.
Boards exhibiting strong, consistent figure are especially sought after and are often set aside for decorative veneer, tabletops, and high-end furniture work. More uniform or straight-grained material is typically reserved for structural or secondary applications, though it remains visually impressive compared to many other hardwoods.
Because Bubinga has faced increasing trade restrictions and export limitations in recent years, legally sourced and well-documented stock has become particularly desirable among collectors. Older material, pre-restriction inventories, and clearly identified figure types are often favored for long-term collecting, display, or curated reference collections.
Video Overview
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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.
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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:
• RUITOOL Japanese Double Edge Ryoba Pull Saw for precise flush cuts, joinery, and detailed woodworking
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• 800W Compact Wood Router Tool Kit with 15-Piece Router Bit Set for trimming, edge work, and shaping wood surfaces
https://amzn.to/498gKP4
• IRWIN Quick-Grip One-Handed Mini Bar Clamps for holding woodworking pieces securely during assembly and glue-ups
https://amzn.to/4wvTvsl
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