Makore
Mimusops heckelii

distribution: Western and Middle Africa (from Sierra Leone to Gabon)

Sometimes called African Cherry, Makore trees are very large, reaching heights of up to 200 feet and diamaters of up to 120 inches. A difficult wood to work due to its tendency to blunt tools, it remains popular for its appearance. Interlocked grain in some pieces produces a mottled figure that's particularly striking.

Makore is classified endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. For more information, see our page on Wood Sourcing Ethics.