Iroko is a strong and durable timber sourced from large African trees, currently known as Chlorophora excelsa (Great Green Shank Mulberry). It is mainly distributed in western African regions, including Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, etc. The color of Iroko wood varies, with heartwood ranging from light brown to yellowish-brown and featuring dark stripes, while sapwood is yellowish-white. Characterized by its exceptional toughness, high density, and strong durability, it is often used as a substitute for teak. Iroko wood is frequently used in furniture making and paneling. Under the name "Great Green Shank Mulberry," some also refer to Iroko as African Golden Wood, a large tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall with a diameter exceeding 2 meters. The cross-section of African Golden Wood shows a clear distinction between heartwood and sapwood: the heartwood is light brown to yellowish-brown with dark stripes, while the sapwood is yellowish-white. This wood has a high density and excellent durability, suitable for outdoor use without frequent oil or varnish treatments. However, it tends to produce debris and quickly wear down tools during processing, requiring careful handling. Notably, African Golden Wood is commonly used in various indoor and outdoor applications such as carving and furniture making, often serving as a substitute for teak. Although sometimes called African Teak or Nigerian Teak, it has a certain presence in the Chinese market. Due to its durability and aesthetic characteristics, it is widely used in indoor and outdoor architectural decoration, furniture making, and artistic carving. I. Characteristics and Uses • Characteristics Stable and durable wood with strong water resistance. Easy to plane, especially in radial plane, yielding beautiful ribbon-like patterns. Requires fillers for painting and polishing, with good gluing performance. • Uses Furniture: Used for making high-end furniture due to its golden luster. Flooring: Suitable for light-duty floor substrates. Construction: Used in load-bearing structures such as bridges, ships, and vehicles. Decoration: Commonly used in interior decoration, carving, and as decorative materials like plywood and veneer. II. Market Situation Iroko wood is commonly known as Balau (especially Yellow Balau) in international markets, renowned for its high durability and hardness. When teak prices are high, Iroko serves as a cost-effective alternative to Burmese teak. In summary, Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) wood plays an important role in construction, furniture, and decoration fields due to its unique characteristics and wide applications. Global Bill of Lading Available for Sale