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What is ayous/wawa?

The Wood Guide · The wood register

Tropical hardwood · reference

Ayous and wawa

Two trade names for the same tree, and there are two more. Pale, exceptionally light and loved by anyone who has to make something from it.

  • Triplochiton scleroxylon
  • Ayous · wawa · samba · obéché
  • Indoors only
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon)AyousTriplochiton scleroxylon
Planed ayous board: pale and even, with little figure (Triplochiton scleroxylon)
Planed ayous board: pale and even, with little figureTriplochiton scleroxylon
Stacks of thin samba (ayous) battens on a rack (Triplochiton scleroxylon)
Stacks of thin samba (ayous) battens on a rackTriplochiton scleroxylon
In pictures · Ayous and wawa1 / 6
Chapter 1 · The species

Ayous and wawa

Two trade names for the same tree, and there are two more. Pale, exceptionally light and loved by anyone who has to make something from it.

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Summary

Ayous in brief

Trade names for the wood of Triplochiton scleroxylon, family Sterculiaceae, from tropical Central and West Africa.

Which name you hear depends on the country of origin: ayous comes from Cameroon, wawa from Ghana, samba from Ivory Coast and obéché from Nigeria. It is always the same tree and the same wood — one of the clearest examples of how confusing trade names can be.

The wood is pale to light grey, remarkably light in weight and very even in structure. It saws, planes and sands effortlessly, and it takes lacquer and stain evenly. That is exactly why it turns up wherever a lot of surface has to be worked quickly.

Why four names exist

Each colonial trade route gave the wood its own name, and those names stuck in the countries that built their imports on it. For a buyer, this means the same species can be on offer from three suppliers under three names, at three prices. Ask for the botanical name.

Botanical
Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.
Family
Sterculiaceae
Origin
tropical Central and West Africa
Names
ayous (Cameroon), wawa (Ghana), samba (Ivory Coast), obéché (Nigeria)
Colour
pale to greyish
Use
indoors only

To be fair: ayous is not durable and is very soft. It has no place outdoors, and even indoors it dents easily — it is not a good choice for a tabletop or a stair handrail. Its dust can also irritate the airways during prolonged sanding.

Measurable

What characterises ayous

Very light

One of the lightest tropical broadleaf species — easy to handle, even in large panels.

Pale to greyish

A neutral colour without pronounced figure, which makes it suitable for lacquering or staining in any shade.

Even structure

Little contrast between the growth zones, so it cuts and planes predictably in every direction.

Soft

The flip side of that ease: it dents easily and is not hard-wearing.

Uses

What ayous is used for

Use Suitable? Why
Mouldings and profiles Excellent Light, even and easy to mill
Interior cladding Excellent Large surfaces without the weight
Sauna benches Good Light, resin-free and it does not get hot to the touch
Model making and scale models Excellent Soft and dimensionally stable
Core for veneer Widely used Light, stable substrate
Outdoor work Unsuitable Not durable
Confused with balsa

Ayous is light, but it is not balsa. Balsa is around 150 kg/m³ and too soft for carpentry; ayous is considerably heavier and does work as a structural indoor wood.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about ayous and wawa

Is ayous the same as wawa?

Yes. Ayous, wawa, samba and obéché are all trade names for Triplochiton scleroxylon — the same tree, different countries of origin.

Can ayous be used outdoors?

No. It is not durable and it is soft. For outdoors, look at teak, acacia or pressure-treated wood.

What is ayous best suited for?

Mouldings, interior cladding, sauna benches and as a light core under veneer. Anywhere weight and workability count and wear resistance does not.

Why does ayous have so many names?

Each trade route gave the wood its own name: ayous from Cameroon, wawa from Ghana, samba from Ivory Coast, obéché from Nigeria. Ask for the botanical name to compare.

More in The Wood Guide

Ayous in perspective

One tree, four names — and the lightest usable hardwood in Africa.

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Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.

Triplochiton scleroxylon — Tim van de Staak, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Triplochiton scleroxylon — Ensahequ, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Triplochiton scleroxylon — Akouete, CC BY-SA 4.0

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