Makore

Native to Western and Central Africa, Makore trees grow from Sierra Leone down to Gabon. And nearly up to the clouds — they are super tall trees. In fact, the nearly 400-year-old “Big Tree of Oda,” believed to be the tallest tree in West Africa, is a majestic, 218-foot tall Makore growing in the Esen Apam Forest Reserve in Ghana. 

A fairly dense hardwood, similar to White Oak on the Janka scale, Makore is known by several other names, including “Douka,” “African Cherry,” and sometimes “Cherry Mahogany.” Though it’s not even closely related to the true Mahogany family, it does have a similar appearance. 

While the heartwood of Makore varies from pinkish brown to a darker reddish brown, its clearly demarcated sapwood is usually a yellowish color. The grain is generally straight, but many logs display captivatingly decorative moiré or mottle figured patterns. 

A true stand out wood, Makore is a popular choice for elite projects, including wood veneer, architectural plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and specialty wood items.