Trade Names:  Anegre

Origin:  West Africa

Range:  West and East Africa from Guinea through Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Congo to Angola, eastwards to Zaire and Uganda, tropical rain forests. Figured wood seldom occurs and thus is extremely difficult to obtain.

Uses:  For high quality architectural purposes, especially in the USA, Australia and Southeast Asia. Also used for musical instruments. Still used on a small scale in Europe.

Properties:  The figuring of Anegre is very pronounced and beautiful. As a result the veneers are extremely decorative, especially in conjunction with the silky luster and when the figuring occurs at a 90 degree angle. Anegre mimmicks many different species when stains are applied, therefore it is one of the most versatile specie for the architectural market.

Machining:  There is no great problem in machining this wood but tools become quickly dull due to silicate deposits.

Seasoning:  There is no great difficulty in drying lumber. The wood should be dried as soon as possible after cutting to prevent blue stain.