Iroko
Scientific name: Milicia excelsa
Overview
Iroko is a durable African hardwood often referred to as African Teak due to its strength, weather resistance, and long history of outdoor use. Native to West and Central Africa, it has been widely used in construction, furniture, and marine applications.
Known for its toughness and natural resistance to decay, Iroko is especially valued in applications where longevity and structural performance are critical.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Iroko
- Scientific Name: Milicia excelsa
- Region: African Hardwoods (West & Central Africa)
- Tree Size: 100–130 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 41 lbs/ft³ (660 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,260 lbf
- Color: Yellowish brown to golden brown, darkening with age
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Iroko is typically identified by its golden to medium brown color, coarse texture, and straight to slightly interlocked grain. Freshly cut material often appears lighter and darkens over time with exposure.
Key identification traits include:
- Warm yellow-brown heartwood
- Coarse texture with visible pores
- Subtle grain pattern compared to more decorative species
- Occasional mineral streaks or dark flecks
Working Properties
Iroko is considered moderately difficult to work, primarily due to its silica content.
- Can dull cutting tools relatively quickly
- Machines reasonably well with sharp tooling
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Glues and finishes adequately
- Stable once properly dried
- Despite tool wear concerns, Iroko is favored for its durability and performance.
Safety Note
Dust from Iroko can cause skin and respiratory irritation in some individuals. Additionally, the presence of silica can increase tool wear and airborne dust. Proper dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended.
Common Uses
Iroko is commonly used in applications requiring durability and resistance to the elements, including:
- Outdoor furniture
- Decking and exterior joinery
- Boatbuilding and marine components
- Structural timbers
- Interior furniture and cabinetry
It is often chosen as a teak alternative for outdoor and marine uses.
Sustainability & Notes
Iroko is subject to regional harvesting regulations, and availability can vary. Responsible sourcing is strongly encouraged, particularly for large structural material.
Buyers should seek suppliers that follow legal and sustainable harvesting practices.
Buyers should verify sourcing and prioritize responsibly harvested material from reputable suppliers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Teak – A well-known tropical hardwood with similar durability and resistance to decay, commonly used in outdoor furniture and marine applications.
Afrormosia – A dense African hardwood often compared to teak for its strength, stability, and use in furniture and flooring.
Sapele – A widely used African hardwood with good strength and decorative grain, commonly used in furniture and architectural millwork.
Related Guides
How to Identify Wood by End Grain Patterns
Learn how to identify wood species by examining pores, rays, and growth rings through the end grain—the most accurate method for wood identification.
Labeling and Cataloging Wood Samples
Explains how to properly label and catalog similar-looking hardwoods like Iroko, helping distinguish them from Teak and other comparable species within a structured collection.
Hardwood vs Softwood
Understand the fundamental differences between hardwood and softwood species, including structure, growth, and common uses.
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
Iroko is valued by collectors for its durability, stability, and reputation as a practical teak substitute. Well-seasoned material typically shows a warm golden-brown to medium brown tone that can deepen and mellow with age, especially when exposed to light and finished properly.
Boards with uniform color and straight grain are generally preferred for furniture, exterior applications, and boat-related work, while pieces showing subtle figure, mineral streaking, or color variation are often retained for accent or reference use. Because Iroko can vary noticeably between trees and regions, clearly documented stock is often more appealing to collectors.
Older, properly dried material is particularly sought after, as Iroko’s color and surface character tend to stabilize over time. Collectors often favor seasoned boards that have already completed their initial color shift, making them more predictable for long-term storage, display, or curated sample collections.
Video Overview
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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:
• 3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator for protection against dust and airborne particles during sanding and woodworking
https://amzn.to/4wKyJoK
• Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter for non-destructive moisture detection in wood, drywall, and masonry
https://amzn.to/4upDKSd
• Pro Grade 2-Inch Foam Brush Set for applying stains, oils, finishes, and sealers to woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4drOpWx
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