Colour/Appearance:

Heartwood is a very dark brown with black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil-finish) the wood can become nearly black.

Grain/Texture:

Grain is generally straight.

Rot Resistance:

African Wenge is very durable, and resistant to termite attack.

Workability:

When handling unfinished wood with bare hands, splinters have an increased risk of infection. Very large pores can be difficult to fill if a perfectly smooth/level finish is desired.

Odor:

African Wenge has a faint, slightly bitter scent when being worked.

Sustainability:

This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List.

Common Uses:

Veneer, panelling, furniture, turned objects, and musical instruments.