African Mesquite

African Mesquite (P. nigra pictured)

Common Name(s): African Mesquite

Scientific Name: Prosopis africana

Distribution: Tropical Africa

Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 5 ft (1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 53 lbs/ft³ (850 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .66

Hardness: 2,940 lb_f (13,080 N)

Rupture Strength: 18,940 lb_f/in² (130,630 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 2,019,000 lb_f/in² (13,920 MPa)

Crushing Strength: No data available

Shrinkage: Radial: 5.0%, Tangential: 8.0%, Volumetric: 13.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a reddish brown, which darkens with age. Sapwood is a yellow/tan color.

Grain/Pore: African Mesquite has a medium to coarse texture and open pores, with a slight natural luster. Clear portions of the trunk tend to have straight, wavy, or interlocked grain.

Endgrain: No data available. Most likely similar to Black Mesquite.

Durability: African Mesquite is considered durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, and also has good resistance to insect attack.

Workability: African Mesquite contains silica, and can have a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Clear and straight grained Mesquite is easy to work with hand and machine tools, but areas of irregular or interlocked grain can pose a challenge. Glues, turns, and finishes well.

Scent: African Mesquite is said to have a fragrant odor while being worked.

Safety: Woods in the Prosopis genus have been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Seldom if ever available in the United States. No pricing data available.

Comments: Some common uses for African Mesquite include: flooring, turned objects, boatbuilding, cabinetry, and furniture.

Related Species:

Black Mesquite (Prosopis nigra)

Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)

Itin (Prosopis kuntzei)

Prosopis juliflora (Prosopis juliflora)

Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this exact wood species, but a similar species within the Prosopis genus is being substituted (P. nigra). If you’d like to contribute a wood sample of this specific species to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.