Due to its high durability, Okan wood is used as an alternative to Ekki in bridge construction and for any Marine project. Okan Hardwood is also a very decorative type of wood. It is beautiful and sustainable. Underused and underappreciated, Okan Timber makes for a great alternative.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Okan wood good?
If you need timber that is tough, stable, and can hold up brilliantly in any environment, you need Okan wood. A strong, heavy hardwood from West Africa, it’s a highly valuable resource for those applications that require unbeatable strength and durability in harsher climates.
What is the hardness of Okan wood?
In terms of hardness, you’re looking at values of around 1,500 to 1,700kg/m3 in density. This, however, can vary depending on where it’s grown, but still, this puts it above teak and oak for hardness. Okan wood is dense enough to take heavy loads that other woods might struggle with.
What is Okan wood used for?
Because of the strength of Okan wood, it’s primarily used for structures and applications that require wood to withstand pressure and be durable. Common uses of Okan wood include bridges, decking, marine projects, and signal structures. It’s not a wood that is used for fine furniture; it’s more of a heavy-duty construction material.
Where is the best place to get Okan wood in the UK?
You can source all of your Okan wood through us, Civil Hardwoods, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of tropical hardwoods. We stock and cut structural-grade Okan wood for a variety of uses, including decking, piling, and large-scale external builds and projects.