Makore (Tieghemella heckelii) is a pink or reddish-brown hardwood native to tropical regions of West and Central Africa. The Makore tree is mainly distributed from Sierra Leone to Gabon, including countries such as Cameroon and Gabon.
Makore is a large evergreen tree that can grow up to approximately 180–200 feet (55–60 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of about 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m).
| Property | Makore Wood |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Tieghemella heckelii |
| Tree Size | 180–200 ft (55–60 m) tall, 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) trunk diameter |
| Wood Color | Pink or reddish brown |
| Average Dried Weight | 42.9 lbs/ft³ (685 kg/m³) |
| Janka Hardness | 1,200 lbf (5,350 N) |
| Pricing | Moderate |
| Workability | Generally easy to work |
| Type | Hardwood |
Uses of Makore Wood
Makore has excellent durability, an attractive appearance, and good workability, making it suitable for a wide range of interior and exterior applications. Common uses include furniture, cabinetry, veneer, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and specialty woodworking.
Furniture
Makore has a fine texture, attractive color, and good dimensional stability. It is used to make high-quality furniture such as cabinets, tables, chairs, desks, and other decorative pieces.
Interior Joinery
Makore is commonly used for interior architectural details, including paneling, molding, trim, doors, and other joinery.
Its reddish-brown color and natural luster can give interiors a warm and elegant appearance.
Veneers
Makore is an excellent choice for veneer because of its attractive color, fine texture, and consistent grain.
Makore veneer can be applied to plywood and other substrates to create the appearance of solid hardwood while using less lumber.
Musical Instruments
Makore is also used for musical instruments and other specialty applications. Its acoustic properties, workability, and attractive appearance make it suitable for certain instrument components.
Turning and Carving
Makore can be used for woodturning and carving projects. Its attractive color and fine texture make it suitable for decorative objects, turned bowls, handles, and other specialty items.
Boatbuilding
Makore can be used in boatbuilding, including some exterior and interior applications. Its natural durability and resistance to insect attack make it useful in demanding environments.
However, proper design, sealing, and maintenance are still important for marine applications.
Appearance
The heartwood of Makore ranges from pinkish brown to reddish brown, sometimes with darker streaks or attractive figured grain. The sapwood is generally yellowish and is clearly separated from the heartwood.
Makore has a generally straight grain, although interlocked or wavy grain can occur. It has a fine, even texture and a natural luster that becomes more noticeable after sanding and finishing.
Like many hardwoods, Makore can become darker or richer in color with age and exposure to light.
Hardness
Makore has a Janka hardness value of approximately 1,200 lbf (5,350 N) and an average dried weight of about 42.9 lbs/ft³ (685 kg/m³).
Its hardness gives it good resistance to everyday dents and wear, making it suitable for applications such as furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.
Here are the hardness values of some popular wood species to give you an idea of how hard Makore is:
| Wood Species | Janka Hardness |
|---|---|
| Paper Birch | 910 lbf (4,050 N) |
| American Holly | 1,020 lbf (4,540 N) |
| Claro Walnut | 1,130 lbf (5,030 N) |
| Sweet Cherry | 1,150 lbf (5,120 N) |
| Makore Wood | 1,200 lbf (5,350 N) |
| Red Oak | 1,220 lbf (5,430 N) |
| Blue Ash | 1,290 lbf (5,740 N) |
| Shagbark Hickory | 1,880 lbf (8,360 N) |
Makore Wood Pros and Cons
Makore is a durable and attractive hardwood, but it also has some disadvantages that should be considered before using it.
Pros
- Attractive Appearance: One of the biggest advantages of Makore wood is its appearance. Its pinkish-brown to reddish-brown color and fine, uniform texture create a warm and elegant look.
- Durable: Makore heartwood is rated as very durable and resistant to decay, making it suitable for demanding applications.
- Insect Resistant: Makore heartwood has good natural resistance to insect attack.
- Good Workability: Makore is generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It also turns, glues, and finishes well.
- Good Stability: Its dimensional stability makes it suitable for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and interior joinery.
- Versatility: Makore can be used for many woodworking applications, including furniture, veneer, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and turned objects.
- Moderate Price: Makore is generally available at a mid-range price for an imported hardwood, although figured boards and veneer can be considerably more expensive.
Cons
- Can Dull Tools: Makore has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting tools because of its relatively high silica content. Sharp tools are recommended when machining it.
- Potential Tearout: Interlocked or wavy grain can cause tearout during planing or machining.
- Allergic Reactions: Wood dust from Makore has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation in some people. Proper dust collection and personal protective equipment are recommended when working with it.
- Limited Availability: Makore is an imported tropical hardwood and may not be as readily available as common domestic species.
- Sustainability Concerns: Makore is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with population decline associated with exploitation and loss of its natural range. Responsible sourcing is therefore especially important.
Is Makore Wood Good for Flooring?
Yes, Makore can be a good choice for flooring. Its 1,200 lbf Janka hardness provides good resistance to dents and everyday wear.
Its attractive reddish-brown color and fine texture can also give a floor a premium appearance.
However, Makore flooring can be more expensive and less readily available than common flooring species such as oak. Proper installation and moisture control are important for maintaining its dimensional stability.
Is Makore Wood Waterproof?
No, Makore wood is not waterproof.
Although Makore has very good natural resistance to decay, wood is still a porous material that can absorb moisture. A suitable finish can improve moisture resistance and help protect the surface, but it does not make the wood completely waterproof.
Is Makore Wood Good for Outdoor Use?
Yes, Makore can be suitable for certain outdoor applications because its heartwood is very durable and resistant to insect attack.
However, outdoor performance depends on the application, climate, construction, moisture exposure, and maintenance.
A suitable exterior finish can help protect the surface from weathering and moisture.
Is Makore Wood Good for Furniture?
Yes, Makore is an excellent choice for furniture.
Its combination of durability, attractive color, fine texture, workability, and ability to take a good finish makes it suitable for high-quality furniture, cabinets, tables, chairs, and decorative woodworking.
Is Makore Wood Easy to Work With?
Makore is generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, but there are some considerations.
The wood can have interlocked grain, which may cause tearout during planing or machining. Its relatively high silica content can also dull cutting tools. However, Makore turns well and generally glues and finishes effectively.
Using sharp tools and taking light cuts can help produce better results.
Makore Wood vs. Mahogany
Makore is sometimes compared with African and genuine Mahogany because of its reddish-brown color, workability, and use in furniture and cabinetry.
However, they are different woods. Makore belongs to the Tieghemella genus, while genuine Mahogany belongs to the Swietenia genus.
Makore can have a denser and harder feel than genuine Mahogany, with a Janka hardness of approximately 1,200 lbf, compared with about 900 lbf for genuine Mahogany.
Makore Wood Care and Maintenance
Proper care can help maintain Makore’s natural appearance and extend its service life.
For Indoor Applications
- Dust the surface regularly.
- Wipe up spills quickly.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture.
- Use a suitable furniture or wood finish.
- Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals.
For Outdoor Applications
- Clean dirt and debris regularly.
- Prevent standing water from remaining on the surface.
- Inspect the finish periodically.
- Reapply an appropriate exterior finish when needed.
- Repair damaged areas promptly.
Is Makore Wood Sustainable?
Makore requires careful consideration from a sustainability perspective.
The species Tieghemella heckelii is currently listed as Endangered by the IUCN, and the Wood Database reports population reduction associated with exploitation and a decline in its natural range. It is not listed in the CITES Appendices.
If you purchase Makore, look for responsibly sourced and legally harvested lumber and ask suppliers about the origin of the wood.
Final Thoughts
Makore is a beautiful and durable African hardwood valued for its reddish-brown color, fine texture, natural luster, workability, and resistance to decay and insects.
It is commonly used for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turning, and other specialty woodworking applications.
Its main disadvantages are its potential to dull cutting tools, possible tearout when working with interlocked grain, limited availability, and sustainability concerns.
Overall, Makore is an excellent hardwood for high-quality woodworking projects, especially when appearance, durability, and a premium finish are important.
FAQs
Is Makore wood suitable for outdoor furniture?
Yes. Makore heartwood is naturally very durable and resistant to insect attack, making it suitable for certain outdoor furniture applications. However, proper finishing and maintenance are still recommended.
How can I protect Makore wood from scratches?
Use protective pads under furniture legs and avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface. For flooring, regular cleaning and suitable protective finishes can help reduce scratches and dents.
Can I use Makore wood for flooring?
Yes. Makore has a Janka hardness of about 1,200 lbf, making it suitable for flooring where good resistance to dents and wear is required.
Is Makore wood expensive?
Makore is generally considered a mid-range imported hardwood, although prices can vary significantly based on availability, grade, board size, and figure. Highly figured Makore can be considerably more expensive.
Does Makore wood resist rot?
Yes. Makore heartwood is rated as very durable and has good natural resistance to decay.
Does Makore wood resist insects?
Yes. Makore heartwood is naturally resistant to insect attack.