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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: 59 lbs/ft3 (945 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .78, .95 Janka Hardness: 2,940 lbf (13,080 N) Modulus of Rupture: 18,930 lbf/in2 (130.5 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 2,019,000 lbf/in2 (13.92 GPa) Crushing Strength: 10,650 lbf/in2 (73.5 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.6%, Volumetric: 7.6%, 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/Texture: 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.
Rot Resistance: 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.
Odor: African Mesquite is said to have a fragrant odor while being worked.
Allergies/Toxicity: 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.
Pricing/Availability: Seldom if ever available in the United States. No pricing data available.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Flooring, turned objects, boatbuilding, cabinetry, and furniture.
Comments: None.
Related Species:
- Algarrobo Blanco (Prosopis alba)
- Black Mesquite (Prosopis nigra)
- Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
- Itin (Prosopis kuntzei)
- Nandubay (Prosopis affinis)
- 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.
