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Iroko hardwood is a tough, dense and highly durable wood. Also referred to as Nigerian Teak, Iroko timber can be found growing on the west coast of the African continent in the countries of Ghana, Guinea, Angola, Benin and Mozambique. Here, the trees can grow up to 50 metres tall. The bark of this tropical tree is rough and scaly, and very resistant to wind.Its distribution is so vast due to birds who help to spread their seeds. Despite being high maintenance, it’s a great tree to have in the forest. It is a heliophile tree, which means it requires a lot of light. It also has the benefit of being an oxalogenic tree which means it transforms carbon dioxide from the air into limestone. This helps to sequester carbon and enrich the surrounding soil.
It has a feared reputation in parts of Africa, with some people believing Iroko trees are inhabited by a spirit. Once the tree is cut down, it’s said the cutter gains bad luck for his or her family.
Despite its nickname, the wood is not actually teak. However, it is very similar, proving to be a more cost-effective solution. They are very similar in terms of their density, grain structure and tendency to colour after ageing
It’s a richly coloured and versatile teak wood generally used for furniture-making and interior and exterior joinery projects. The wood has also been used for cladding, boatbuilding and church pews, laboratory benches, and factory and parquet flooring. As well as its versatility, the wood is also very resistant to rot. This makes it perfect for outside use as it does not split or warp over time and does not require regular treatment. It can even be used for marine purposes.
The hardwood is naturally oily, so ideally needs to be de-oiled with methylated spirits before painting. It can also be brought to a high-gloss finish after filling. The timber comes with an interlocking grain (an appealing feature) with a fairly coarse texture. It’s light yellow when freshly cut, turning to golden brown after exposure to light.
Although incredibly flexible, with a great ability for taking glues, screws and nails, it’s important to note Iroko wood can dull tools. This is largely due to the presence of calcium carbonate. It is also vulnerable to attack from dry-wood insects, such as the powder-beetle.
It is not a sustainable wood. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies iroko as being on the Red List as a vulnerable material. Iroko is also a respiratory and skin sensitiser. People have suffered symptoms similar to asthma, boils, lung irritation and swollen eyes. The presence of its dust can also cause contact dermatitis.
People typically choose Iroko due to its unique characteristics. The main draw is the deep rich colour, which can transform any item of furniture, and interlocking grain, which guarantees a unique wood every single time.
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