Sapeli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) comes from the Meliaceae family and is therefore a mahogany wood. Sapeli mahogany grows on the equatorial west coast of Africa; Ghana and the Ivory Coast are typical growing areas. Sapeli is often confused with other mahogany species, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from other African mahogany species such as Sipo, Khaya and Kosipo. With an average height of around 45 meters and a trunk diameter of up to 1.50 meters, these trees can form very large trunks, which are usually of high quality as they are largely knot-free. The heartwood is light to brown-reddish, darkening strongly to a deep reddish brown and has a beautiful sheen and luster. A frequently occurring interlocking grain makes the wood a highly sought-after interior wood, while its particularly beautiful grain makes it a highly sought-after decorative wood. Sapelima mahogany is medium-hard, has high strength and durability and is very easy to work. Its uses range from classic furniture wood to high-quality interior fittings, window and door frames, boat and yacht building and musical instruments.
