Wenge
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Wood Species
Wenge
Biological name
Milletia, laurentii
Originates from or commonly found in
Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania and Mozambique
Physical appearance
The Wenge tree has an average height of 60 feet and an average trunk diameter of 3 feet. The tree’s sapwood is pale yellow. The heartwood is distinct, being dark and very dense. The leaves are composed of several pairs of pointed, oblong leaflets, which branch from a central stem, with a single leaflet growing from the tip. These stems will bud small, pink rose-like flowers.
Flooring Properties
Wenge is a uniform dark chocolate brown color. Wenge is a good wood for turnery because it cuts easily and has a beautiful grain and interesting color. Wenge can be purchased with a selected straight grain for a very uniform look or with mixed graining where the grain figures take on the appearance of a flower. Wenge will not experience much color change after it is cut and finished. By this time, it has already undergone a darkening from the color of its sapwood to its characteristics dark brown.
Janka Rating
Wenge has a hardness rating of 1630.
