Makore Wood Uses, Types, Properties, Advantages, and Disadvantages

What is makore wood?

Makore, also known as douka and cherry mahogany, is wood in Western and Middle Africa ( Sierra Leone to Gabon).

The tree is 180-200 feet tall, with a 4-6 feet trunk diameter. It’s wood with reddish-brown or pink heartwood.

Makore has straight grains, although there are also wavy and interlaced grains.

This wood sells in veneer and lumber and maybe sells in other forms as the seller wants. This wood has very good resistance, so it’s good for many wooden items.

The properties of makore wood

This is a wood with a fairly unique color, which is the heartwood is pink. Generally, makore wood grains are straight, although some are interlocked and wavy.

This wood also has a fine texture and has a good natural luster. In terms of durability, makore heartwood is considered very durable against decay.

Not only that, but it also has resistance to insect attacks.

It is a wood that can cause many health effects, such as skin and eye irritation, dizziness, headaches, and others. However, severe reactions are rare.

Makore wood advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Durable: You don’t need to doubt the resistance of makore wood to rot or insects. Makore heartwood is considered to be very durable in resistant to rot.

Meanwhile, this wood is also resistant to insect attacks.

For this reason, we believe that the makore wood that has been used as wooden items also has the same or similar durability as the heartwood.

So, you can use it calmly, and maybe it can last for decades.

But the place to put the item must also be considered because it may increase the risk of damage.

Mid-range: This is an imported hardwood whose price should be in the mid-range.

Because it seems like a reasonable price for this wood, it also depends on the appearance of the wood. The prices of veneers and boards that have figured grain patterns may be in a much more expensive range.

For this reason, you should choose makore wood according to your appearance needs. We think appearance is less important in makore uses.

Because it seems that the makore uses in large quantities at a mid-price is more good.

Easy to work: Makore is generally easy to work, though not as easy as you think. Because several things can be a problem when working.

For examples include tearing during design due to interlocking grains, discoloration, and staining when in contact with iron, and has a blunt effect due to its high silica content.

However, it is still an easy wood to work in some ways. Because makore can be glued well, turns, and finishes well. So maybe you need more skills and good quality tools.

Disadvantages

Endangered: Although this wood is very good for some things, you have to limit its use. Because the makore is listed on the IUCN Red List as endangered.

There has been a drastic reduction in makore, which is more than 50% population has been reduced in just the last 3 generations.

The reason for the population reduction is due to exploitation and decreasing natural range. However, makore are not listed in the CITES Appendix.

We don’t know the reason yet. What is certain is that you have to be wise in using makore wood.

Makore wood for veneer

Makore wood is commonly available as a veneer, as this seems to be one of its main uses. However, you shouldn’t expect too much from this wooden look.

Because makore looks ordinary does not have unique characteristics and others. While there may be makore with unique grain figured, they are expensive.

That’s why it’s only an alternative if you need it, or you do use Makore veneers for commercial purposes.

We recommend using another wood veneer with a unique look for beauty, although makore also has good quality.

Makore wood for plywood

Another use of makore wood is plywood. Moderately priced wood such as makore wood seems to be worth it because it has good quality and can be used for various needs.

When it has become plywood, makore has many more functions, and users may be freer to use it. Although we think the general use of plywood is more recommended.

You don’t have to worry about durability or workability Because makore is good at it and easy to work with.

Careful planning and good work are necessary.

Makore wood for furniture

This is probably what you should do when you have a stock of makore. Using it for furniture is the right choice, although it’s not recommended for large furniture.

We think simple furniture like a small cupboard, a small round table, and a chair to relax in is a good idea. It will be long-term furniture.

There is no need to care about the appearance of makore wood, which you might think is ordinary because it can be painted in attractive colors.

Or you can also make it shinier with some additional work required.

Makore wood for cabinetry

Cabinetry is also another common use that you can choose from. Although we thought it wouldn’t be cabinetry that showcased its beauty.

However, some of the properties of makore wood, especially in its resistance to rot, make it very suitable for kitchen cabinetry.

It will last longer, even if stored in a humid place. We don’t recommend using it for cabinetry in other rooms because makore wood looks ordinary unless you have makore wood with figured grain patterns, which is much more expensive than regular makore.

Makore wood for flooring

Makore wood has good durability in its resistance to rot and insect attack. That can be used as a reason that this wood is also suitable for use as flooring.

However, we think it’s not good for this wood population where flooring requires a large quantity. But this can be extra wood if you need additional wood to complete the missing parts of your floor.

You have to believe in the quality of this wood, even though it’s still in the form of data on paper and has not proven itself.

Makore wood for boatbuilding

It can be good wood for boatbuilding. We think it’s because of its properties, including durability. However, it seems like it’s no better than oak and cedar.

That’s why you might use it as extra wood or wood that plays a role in something else. This wood is easy to work, despite its high silica content.

But it doesn’t matter because woodworking for boatbuilding maybe doesn’t require too much detail.

It’s just that you need to prove whether this wood is suitable for you to use or not.

Makore wood for musical instruments

Makore is also commonly used as a musical instrument, although we have no information about what instruments can be made from this wood.

However, we think makore is a useful wood and can be used for many things.

It’s no wonder that musical instruments are one of the most common uses, even though they may not be the primary wood or less important piece of musical instruments.

To find out more, we suggest looking for information about the types of musical instruments that can be made from makore wood.

Makore wood for turned objects

If you don’t need makore for other uses, it is excellent to use them as turned objects.

Because this might be your chance to practice your creativity to create unique, high-value, and beautifully turned objects.

But don’t overuse it. Just use it within reasonable limits for small turned objects.

We think you need to make a bowl, cup, or other decoration to add to the beauty of your home. Don’t forget to choose makore wood with the best appearance when making a purchase.