Mopane

Mopane (Colophospermum mopane)

Common Name(s): Mopane, Mopani

Scientific Name: Colophospermum mopane

Distribution: Southern Africa

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 77 lbs/ft³ (1,230 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: 1.00

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

Bending Strength: 17,760 lb_f/in² (122,490 kPa)

Elasticity: 2,031,000 lb_f/in² (14,010 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 3.0%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 9.0%, T/R Ratio: ~2

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is medium to dark reddish brown, with black stripes. Color tends to darken with age.

Grain/Pore: Mopane has a fine texture and very small pores: filling is unnecessary; the grain is interlocked.

Durability: Mopane is rated as very durable, and is also resistant to termites and powder post beetles.

Workability: Mopane is generally considered to be difficult to work, mainly on account of its incredibly high density. Machining has a severe blunting effect on cutters. Mopane is excellent for turnery.

Smell: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: There have been no adverse health effects associated with Mopane. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Likely to be somewhat expensive, exceeding the cost of most imported African hardwoods, with the exception of the scarcer species such as Pink Ivory or African Blackwood.

Comments: Mopane is an often neglected and overlooked African hardwood, though its density and durability are virtually unrivaled. The wood is also said to have excellent acoustic properties, comparing similarly to African Blackwood—at a more economical price.

Some common uses for Mopane include: flooring, musical instruments (woodwind), turnery, fuelwood/charcoal, furniture, inlay, and exterior construction.