What is Afrikulu?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Tropical hardwood · referenceAfrikulu wood
Yellowish brown, versatile and with a soft natural lustre. You find it both in heavy construction and in fine furniture making.
- Terminalia ivorensis
- Also framiré, idigbo, emire
- Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
Afrikulu wood
Yellowish brown, versatile and with a soft natural lustre. You find it both in heavy construction and in fine furniture making.
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Afrikulu in brief
The commercial name for the wood of Terminalia ivorensis, family Combretaceae — also known as framiré, idigbo and emire.
The species occurs mainly in West Africa, with a significant presence in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The wood is yellowish brown with a soft natural lustre that makes it attractive even without a finish.
Its appeal lies in its versatility: moderately durable, easy to work, pleasant in appearance and available in usable dimensions. That is why it turns up in a wide range of uses, from heavy construction to fine furniture making.
Afrikulu, framiré, idigbo and emire all cover Terminalia ivorensis. That flood of names makes comparing difficult: the same species can be on offer at three suppliers under three names. Ask for the botanical name.
- Botanical
- Terminalia ivorensis
- Family
- Combretaceae
- Other names
- framiré, idigbo, emire
- Origin
- Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
- Colour
- yellowish brown with soft lustre
- Durability
- moderate
To be fair: afrikulu contains tannins that can leach out with moisture and stain light masonry or paving yellow to brown. For outdoor use above a light façade or white tiles, that is a real drawback — and it also reacts with iron.
What characterises afrikulu
Yellowish brown with lustre
A warm, light tone with a soft natural lustre — unusual for a tropical hardwood.
Easy to work
Saws, planes and sands pleasantly; it holds fixings well.
Moderately durable
Enough for outdoor work above ground, not enough for ground or water contact.
Available in long lengths
Straight trunks yield usable lengths for joinery and construction.
What afrikulu is used for
| Use | Suitable? | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior joinery | Good | Stainless fixings; watch out for leaching |
| Furniture | Good | Attractive colour and lustre |
| Construction | Good | Strong enough, in usable lengths |
| Interior fit-out | Excellent | Warm in colour, finishes evenly |
| Above light paving | With caution | Tannins can cause yellowish-brown staining |
| Ground or water contact | Not recommended | Choose azobé, bilinga or robinia |
Leave the boards outdoors for a few weeks before installation and rinse them repeatedly, so the worst is out. Cover adjacent light surfaces during the first months — the same approach as with merbau.
Frequently asked questions about afrikulu
What is afrikulu?
The trade name for the wood of Terminalia ivorensis from West Africa. It is also known as framiré, idigbo and emire.
Is afrikulu suitable for outdoor use?
Can afrikulu cause stains?
Yes. It contains tannins that can leach out in the rain and stain light masonry or paving yellowish brown. Rinse the boards repeatedly before installation.
Why does afrikulu have so many names?
Trade names differ by country and by market. Afrikulu, framiré, idigbo and emire are all Terminalia ivorensis — ask for the botanical name.
Afrikulu in perspective
A reference species in our register — versatile, yellowish brown and sold under four names.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Terminalia ivorensis — Philipp Zinger, CC BY-SA 4.0