Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants, it has been used for thousands of years for both fuel and construction material.
The more one knows about the unique characteristics of wood, the better one can understand the degree of warmth and beauty that it brings to our everyday décor. Furniture made of wood makes very beautiful piece of furniture, each grain pattern is a unique masterpiece of design, texture and splendor.
The classification of wood has historically always been either Hard wood; any leaf bearing tree, and Soft wood; any cone bearing tree.

Below you will find a list of different classification of hard wood and their characteristics:
IROKO, KAMBALA

Geographical Distribution: West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa
Properties:
• Round wood generally dressed
• Very good durability
• Heartwood fungus-resistant, only occasional insect infestation
• Reasonably termite-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes and dermatitis

NIGERIAN SATINWOOD, MOVINGUI, AYAN

Geographical Distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant, in particular termite-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant
• Blue stain in sapwood
WENGÉ

Geographical Distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Round wood predominantly dressed
• Good durability
• Heartwood reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant

TALI

Geographical Distribution: West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa
Properties:
• Very good durability
• Fungus- and insect-resistant
• Teredo-resistant
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes, general disorders, paralysis

MOABI

Geographical Distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Sapwood: susceptible to fungal and insect attack
• Heartwood reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant, also termite-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes
• Metal corrosion due to damp wood
WHITE MAHOGANY, ACAJOU BLANC

Geographic distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Reasonably susceptible to fungal and insect attack (blue stain in sapwood)
• Mahogany is susceptible to stain
AFRICAN PADOUK, SANDALWOOD
Geographic distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Roundwood, dressed or undressed
• Heartwood: very good durability
• Fungus- and insect-resistant, also termite-resistant
• Biologically active wood: dermatitis
• Strong aromatic odor, stow away from odor-sensitive products

EKKI, AZOBÉ, BONGOSSI
Geographic distribution: West Africa, Central Africa
Properties:
• Very good durability
• Reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant, also termite-resistant
• Teredo-resistant
• Ekki is one of the hardest, most resistant wood species

DAHOMA, DABÉMA
Geographical distribution: West Africa, Central Africa
Properties:
• Heartwood: very good durability
• Reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant
• Reasonably termite-resistant
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes due to wood dust
• Contact with iron/steel causes oxidative discoloration of damp wood

FIGURED MACORE
Geographical distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Heartwood reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant, also termite-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant
• Fresh roundwood sensitive to frost
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes
DOUSSIÉ, AFZELIA, APA, ALIGNA
Geographical distribution: West Africa, Central Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Reasonably termite-resistant
• Not teredo-resistant
• End protection recommended
• Biologically active wood: irritation of mucous membranes

YEW
Geographical distribution: North Africa, Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe
Properties:
• Very good durability
DANTA, KOTIBÉ
Geographical Distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Very good durability
• Fungus- and insect-resistant
• Reasonably teredo-resistant

AFRORMOSIA, KOKRODUA
Geographical Distribution: West Africa
Properties:
• Good durability
• Heartwood reasonably fungus- and insect-resistant, only occasional infestation
• Reasonably teredo-resistant
• Biologically active wood: dermatitis
• Iron/steel corrosion due to damp wood