Doussie
Afzelia africana
Genus: Afzelia · Family: Fabaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Hardwood
Native Range
Africa
Avg. Dried Weight
49 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
1,810 lbf
Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Typical Color
Reddish Brown
Stability
Very High
Outdoor Suitability
Excellent
Workability
Moderate
Availability
Commercially Available
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Doussie is harder than 69% of the 137 species in our database.
- •Doussie is one of the few species rated both "Very Durable" for decay resistance and "Excellent" for outdoor use — ideal for ground-contact and marine applications.
Janka Hardness Scale
Hard
Overview
Professional Summary
Doussié (Afzelia africana) is a premier African hardwood prized for its exceptional dimensional stability — among the most stable commercial timbers available. At 1,810 lbf Janka with very durable heartwood, it excels in applications where minimal wood movement is critical: parquet flooring, exterior joinery, and boatbuilding.
In Plain English
Doussié is the 'doesn't move' wood — one of the most dimensionally stable timbers you can buy. It barely expands or contracts with humidity changes, making it ideal for flooring and exterior woodwork where you can't afford gaps or warping. Also naturally very rot-resistant.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
Premium parquet flooring, exterior joinery, boatbuilding, marine applications, and any project requiring exceptional dimensional stability.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Yellow extractive deposits can stain adjacent materials and bleed through finishes. Some Afzelia species are CITES listed — verify species.
Native Distribution
Find Substitutes
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Species with similar characteristics and uses
Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar reddish brown color that are easily confused with Doussie. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
- • Decay: Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Softer (Janka 1,070 lbf)
- • Lighter (37 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Softer (Janka 1,220 lbf)
- • Lighter (40 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Harder (Janka 2,430 lbf)
- • Heavier (55 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Durable