Okan

Colour / Appearance –  Heartwood is light yellowish or reddish brown. Contrasting sapwood may be up to six inches (15 cm) wide and is light grey to pale yellow. Quartersawn surfaces display a ribbon-stripe figure.

Grain and Texture – Grain is typically interlocked with a uniformly coarse texture and moderate natural lustre.

Rot Resistant –  Rated as moderately durable, with moderate/mixed resistance to termites and borers.

Workability – Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though the wood has a tendency to blunt cutting edges. Tearout may occur when machining quartersawn pieces due to its interlocked grain. Dahoma will also react when put into direct contact with iron in damp conditions, becoming discolored and stained. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Odor – Has an unpleasant, ammonia-like odor when freshly cut. Dry wood is odorless, though re-wetting the wood may bring out the odor again.

Allergies – Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Okan has been reported as a Sensitizer . Can cause eye, skin, and throat irritation.

Sustainability – This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.

Common Uses – Heavy construction, boatbuilding, docks, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and turned objects. .

Comments – The IUCN reports that the species is a common tree and is widespread throughout tropical Africa. The wood is sometimes exported to Europe as a substitute for oak.