Is Mukulungu the best underwater wood?

Native to the semi-deciduous forests of West and Central Africa, Mukulungu wood is perfect for traditional shipbuilding, marine structures, and aquaculture setups. In this article, we’ll explore why this type of wood excels underwater, offering superior strength, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability compared to synthetic materials. 

The Importance of Underwater Wood

Wood, despite its susceptibility to water damage, remains indispensable in underwater construction due to its unique properties and historical significance. When submerged, normal wood undergoes hydrolysis, a chemical reaction breaking down its cellulose and hemicellulose components. This leads to rot, decay, warpage, swelling, loss of strength, and vulnerability to marine borer attacks. Consequently, wooden structures weaken over time, requiring costly maintenance and posing safety risks.

Despite these challenges, wood is essential in traditional shipbuilding, marine structures, aquaculture, and archaeological preservation. Traditional boatbuilders value wood for its workability and aesthetic appeal. In marine structures like docks and piers, treated or specialized woods are used for their durability. Aquaculture setups benefit from wood’s natural properties, while underwater archaeological artifacts necessitate understanding wood-water interactions for preservation.

Understanding Mukulungu – One of the Best Underwater Wood

Now that you know the importance of wood as a material for underwater use, here’s why Mukulungu is a highly recommended species to boost the durability of your project.

What is Mukulungu Wood?

The Mukulungu tree, scientifically known as Autranella congolensis, is a prominent member of the Sapotaceae family. Native to the semi-deciduous forests of West and Central Africa, from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s commonly referred to as Elang, Kungulu, Ovanga, and other local names. 

This type of tree often reaching heights of 50 meters and diameters of 2 meters. The trunk is typically branch-free, making it ideal for extracting large, high-quality timber sections.

The Mukulungu’s wood is distinguished by its red-brown color punctuated by darker veins with a fine, straight or interlocked grain.

Unique Properties of Mukulungu Wood

Among the hardwood species in Afica, Mukulungu is extremely durable. You can see this type of wood is highly source after for hydraulic work.

• Janka hardness: 2310
• Durability Class: Class 5 (very strong)
• Mechanical Properties: High crushing strength (74 MPa) and static bending strength (119 MPa), specific gravity of 0.94 g/cm³.
• Shrinkage Rates: Notably high, requiring careful drying processes to maintain dimensional stability.

Because of its red-brown color, Mukulungu wood is highly valued for making paneling and flooring, providing a rich, warm appearance to the house atmosphere. The wood’s fine texture and straight-to-interlocked grain make it ideal for high-quality veneer and staircases. 

However, the most prominent point of mukulungu wood lies in its application for hydraulic projects. According to 5 Use Classes of timber, Mukulungu naturally fit into Class 5, featuring wood for external use which will be in regular or constant contact with the ground or water. Therefore, it is extensively used in the construction of marine piling, sea defense, ships, and dock gates, which are usually submerged in water. 

Advantages of Using Mukulungu Wood Underwater

When compared to synthetic materials, here are some highlights that makes Mukulungu wood stands out:

• Durability Underwater: By choosing Mukulungu wood, your projects will handles prolonged water exposure well, reducing maintenance needs and naturally resists termites, fungi, and borers.
• Low Environmental Impact: Using Mukulungu wood helps reduce our projects’ carbon footprint. It’s biodegradable, so it has a much smaller environmental impact than synthetic materials.
• Aesthetic Appeal: You’ll love the rich, attractive red-brown color of Mukulungu wood, which make any underwater structures like walkways, docks, and piers look appealing.
• Versatility: This wood is also easy to work with, allowing you to shape and finish it according to project requirements, enabling creative and customized designs just like any synthetic materials.
• Cost-Effective: While initially more expensive than some synthetic alternatives, Mukulungu wood’s longevity and low maintenance will save you money over time with fewer repairs and replacements needed.

Different Types of Underwater Wood

Besides Mukulingu, there are other species highly resistant to water damage and suitable for underwater or outdoor use:

• Teak (Tectona grandis): Durable and water-resistant, used in shipbuilding for millennia.
• Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): Moisture-resistant, popular in America for outdoor structures.
• Deodar (Cedrus deodara): Rot-resistant, used in traditional house-building in Himalayan villages.
• Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata): Dense and water-resistant, used in Australian shipbuilding and marine construction.

Final thoughts

Mukulungu wood is an excellent choice for underwater projects due to its durability, resistance to marine threats, low environmental impact, and unique texture. Its versatility and cost-effectiveness make it ideal for various applications like docks, piers, and marine defenses.

Finding quality Mukulungu wood can be tough, but we are here to help. K-TIMBER is a leading supplier of premium hardwoods and softwoods, trusted by Europe’s top furniture brands. Let us provide you with the finest Mukulungu wood for your next project.