Doussie
Scientific name: Afzelia africana
Overview
Doussie is a dense, durable African hardwood valued for its strength, stability, and warm reddish-brown coloration. Native to West and Central Africa, it is commonly used in flooring, heavy furniture, and structural applications where wear resistance is critical.
Known for its toughness and long service life, Doussie is often selected for high-traffic environments and demanding interior uses.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Doussie
- Scientific Name: Afzelia africana
- Region: African Hardwoods (West & Central Africa)
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 50 lbs/ft³ (800 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,810 lbf
- Color: Reddish brown to medium brown, darkening with age
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Doussie is most easily identified by its rich reddish-brown tones, substantial weight, and coarse texture. Freshly cut material may appear lighter, gradually deepening in color over time.
Color variation between boards is common, especially in wider stock.
Key identification traits include:
- Reddish-brown heartwood with occasional darker streaks
- Medium to coarse texture
- Straight to interlocked grain
- High density and heavy feel
Working Properties
Doussie is considered moderately difficult to work due to its density and hardness.
- Machines best with sharp, durable tooling
- Interlocked grain can cause tear-out
- Glues and finishes reliably
- Sands to a smooth surface despite coarse texture
- Excellent dimensional stability once dried
Its toughness makes it well suited for applications requiring longevity.
Safety Note
Dust from Doussie may cause skin and respiratory irritation in some individuals. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Doussie is commonly used in applications that demand durability, including:
- Hardwood flooring
- Stair treads and risers
- Furniture and cabinetry
- Architectural millwork
- Heavy-duty interior applications
Its wear resistance makes it especially popular for flooring and stairs.
Sustainability & Notes
Some Afzelia species are subject to regional harvesting controls due to overexploitation concerns. Availability may vary by origin.
Buyers should verify legal sourcing and prioritize responsibly harvested material from reputable suppliers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Tali – Another dense African hardwood known for its strength and durability, commonly used in heavy construction and exterior applications.
Iroko – A durable African hardwood often used as a teak substitute in furniture, boat building, and outdoor projects.
Sapele – A well-known African hardwood valued for its strength and decorative grain, widely used in furniture, flooring, and architectural millwork.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain structure and color variation helps distinguish African hardwood species used in furniture and flooring.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Understanding hardness ratings helps explain the durability and wear resistance of dense tropical hardwoods.
Machining Dense Tropical Hardwoods
Dense hardwoods often require sharp tools and proper technique to achieve smooth cuts and clean finishes.
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
Doussie is appreciated by collectors for its density, color development, and long-term stability. Well-seasoned boards tend to darken into a deeper, richer brown over time, which is especially desirable for flooring and large surfaces.
Collectors often favor boards with consistent coloration and minimal grain disruption for uniform installations, while pieces showing stronger color variation are sometimes reserved for accent elements. Proper drying is particularly important to preserve surface quality and minimize movement.
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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.
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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:
• Small Woodworking Projects (Best of Fine Woodworking) for building boxes, stools, shop accessories, and other practical weekend woodworking projects
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• 80-Piece Threaded Insert Nuts and Furniture Screw Set for creating strong, reusable threaded connections in woodworking, furniture building, and shop projects
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• Power Tool Organizer with Charging Station for organizing cordless drills, batteries, chargers, and other power tools while keeping your workshop neat and efficient
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