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What is sipo?

The Wood Guide · The wood register

Tropical hardwood · reference

Sipo

A handsome reddish-brown wood from Central and West Africa, related to mahogany. Suitable for indoors and sheltered outdoor use — but not in the ground.

  • Entandrophragma utile
  • Family Meliaceae
  • Not in ground or water
Entandrophragma utile
Sipo veneer: reddish brown with a fine striped figure (Entandrophragma utile)
Sipo veneer: reddish brown with a fine striped figureEntandrophragma utile
Cross-section of sipo in the AfricaMuseum in Tervuren (AfricaMuseum, Tervuren)
Cross-section of sipo in the AfricaMuseum in TervurenAfricaMuseum, Tervuren
In pictures · Sipo1 / 6
Chapter 1 · The species

Sipo

A handsome reddish-brown wood from Central and West Africa, related to mahogany. Suitable for indoors and sheltered outdoor use — but not in the ground.

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Summary

Sipo in brief

The commercial name for Entandrophragma utile Sprague, family Meliaceae — the same family as true mahogany and sapele.

The species occurs in the evergreen tropical rainforests of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, DR Congo and Congo-Brazzaville.

Sipo is valued for two things: an attractive reddish-brown appearance with a fine striped figure on quarter-sawn wood, and excellent workability. It saws, planes and glues nicely — one of the reasons it became so popular in joinery and decorative work.

Where the limit lies

Sipo is durable enough for indoors and for sheltered outdoor work such as window frames and doors. But it is explicitly not suitable for direct contact with water or ground. For posts, bank revetments and hydraulic engineering, look at other species.

Botanical
Entandrophragma utile Sprague
Family
Meliaceae — like mahogany and sapele
Origin
Central and West Africa
Colour
reddish brown
Strength in
workability and appearance
Not for
direct contact with water or ground

To be fair: sipo often has interlocked grain, which gives the sought-after striped figure on quarter-sawn wood but makes planing harder — the fibres tear out where the grain direction reverses. Sanding gives a better result than planing.

Measurable

What characterises sipo

Reddish brown

Warm in tone, darkening under the influence of light — like mahogany.

Striped figure

Visible on quarter-sawn wood thanks to the interlocked grain; sought after in veneer and exposed work.

Excellent workability

Saws, sands and glues nicely. Planing requires sharp tools because of the interlocked grain.

Fairly durable

Sufficient for indoors and sheltered outdoor use, insufficient for ground or water contact.

Uses

What sipo is used for

Use Suitable? Why
Windows and doors Excellent Dimensionally stable and easy to work
Indoor furniture Excellent Beautiful colour and figure
Veneer Excellent The striped figure is the argument
Stairs and interior fit-out Good Hard enough, warm in colour
Sheltered outdoor work Good Under a roof or overhang
Ground or water contact Unsuitable Choose azobé, bilinga or robinia
Related to mahogany

Sipo belongs to the Meliaceae, just like mahogany. It is often sold as a mahogany substitute — understandable given its appearance, but ask for the botanical name if it matters.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about sipo

Is sipo the same as mahogany?

No, but it is related: both belong to the Meliaceae. Sipo is Entandrophragma utile, true mahogany is Swietenia. Sipo is often sold as a substitute.

Can sipo go in the ground?

No. Sipo is not suitable for direct contact with water or ground. For those uses, choose azobé, bilinga or robinia.

Why does sipo tear out when planed?

Because of interlocked grain: the fibre direction reverses regularly, and in those places it tears out under the blade. Sanding gives a better result.

What is sipo most used for?

Windows, doors and interior joinery, plus veneer where the striped figure comes into its own.

More in The Wood Guide

Sipo in perspective

A reference species in our register — the African face of the mahogany family.

To The Wood Guide Mahogany Tropical hardwood

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Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Entandrophragma utile — Philipp Zinger, CC BY-SA 4.0 · AfricaMuseum, Tervuren — Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0

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