Mussivi Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

When it comes to African hardwoods, people often think of woods with vibrant colors, beautiful grain patterns, and high durability. One of the rarest and most famous hardwoods in Africa is Mussivi wood. It is native to Angola, a country located in southwestern Africa. The wood has a dark reddish-brown color, beautiful grain pattern, and high hardness. It is often used to make high-end furniture, interior and exterior decoration, shipbuilding, flooring, etc.

So, what are the characteristics and functions of Mussivi wood that make it a rare and precious wood in Africa? Let’s explore the details of this wood in the following article with K-TIMBER.

Mussivi Wood General information

Mussivi wood is a hardwood species belonging to the same genus as African Padauk (both belong to the genus Pterocarpus) with the scientific name Guibourtia Coleosperma. Mussivi timber is a rare and precious natural wood, belonging to the legume family. It is widely distributed over south-central Africa, especially in Cameroon, Angola. This deciduous tree usually grows up to 16 meters tall and can reach up to 19 meters, with dark brown bark and a high, wide-crowned canopy of leaves.

As a tree that is able to withstand harsh conditions and hot weather, Mussivi wood always has excellent characteristics and uses. However, due to being grown in African soil and climate, this type of wood has a clear difference from other conventional woods.

Mussivi Wood Properties

Mussivi wood is prized for its unique characteristics, beautiful reddish-brown color, and smooth, interlocking grain pattern. These qualities make it a valuable material for furniture, flooring, and other high-end applications.

Color and Texture

Mussivi wood has a very variable heartwood color and ranges from uniform light brown to golden brown, chocolate, brick red or purplish brown with darker or redder streaks, which may lighten with exposure. 

The sapwood is light yellow to pink brown, clearly separated from the heartwood. Wood grains can be straight or interlocked, creating a distinctive shape and luster (an optical effect that creates a smooth, shimmering sheen).

Density and strength 

Mussivi wood is a very dense and heavy hardwood, with a density of around 700-900 kg/m³. This makes it incredibly strong and durable, resistant to wear and tear, and ideal for high-end furniture and flooring applications.

It is also very strong in both bending and compression, making it suitable for structural applications and boatbuilding. It has good shock resistance and is naturally resistant to rot and decay.

Workability

Mussivi wood is relatively easy to work with, and it is resistant to rot and insect damage, making it ideal for long-lasting projects such as outdoor furniture, flooring, and shipbuilding. After being properly sanded and finished, It has a high gloss and can achieve a beautiful sheen.

Mussivi Wood Technical Properties

Mussivi Wood Advantages

• High hardness, toughness, and strength: Mussivi wood is hard, tough, and strong, and is rarely damaged by termites due to its high oil content. This helps make Mussivi timber furniture durable, less likely to warp, crack, or be damaged by termites, and can be used for a long time. 
• High wood durability: Mussivi timber is durable and can be used for a long time without much maintenance.
• Stunning Appearance: Mussivi timber boasts a rich, warm brown hue with distinctive grain patterns, making it a sought-after choice for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items.
• Naturally Weather-Resistant: Mussivi wood’s inherent oils and density provide natural protection against moisture, rot, and insect infestation, making it suitable for outdoor applications with proper treatment.

Mussivi Wood Disadvantages

• High cost: This is the biggest disadvantage of Mussivi wood. It is a rare and precious wood, with a higher cost than other woods. This makes Mussivi wood furniture quite expensive, not suitable for all customers. 
• Allergic reaction: The aroma of Mussivi timber is quite strong and pungent, so it can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to this scent.

Applications of Mussivi wood in life

Products made from Mussivi wood often have quite high prices and are often crafted into high-end furniture such as tables, cabinets, chairs, veneer, etc. Besides, mussivi wood’s dimensional stability makes it ideal for flooring, as it withstands changes in temperature and humidity without shrinking or warping.

Mussivi wood’s natural oils and density make it resistant to water damage and insect infestation, ideal for boatbuilding and other marine applications.

Should I buy Mussivi wood from K-TIMBER?

Angola, with its tropical monsoon climate and fertile soil, is an ideal habitat for many rare and precious woods, including Mussivi timber. It is sourced from Angola’s native forests, which are carefully controlled by the government to ensure the sustainability of this valuable resource.

So there are many questions: Should I buy Mussivi wood at K-TIMBER?

K-TIMBER is proud to be one of the leading suppliers of quality African hardwoods with over 20 years of experience exporting wood from Angola. K-TIMBER offers a wide variety of African woods with up to 90% good wood quality. All logging, processing, and wood treatment processes at K-TIMBER are rigorously inspected. K-TIMBER guarantees that the rate of sapwood, heartwood, termites, and cracks is almost zero, which can save customers up to 40%.

In addition to high quality, K-TIMBER also offers customers prices 20% lower than the market. With a large warehouse system and a supply capacity of up to 20,000 cubic meters per month, K-TIMBER is confident that it can meet all customer requirements, even the most demanding ones.

If you are looking for a reliable and quality source of Mussivi wood, please contact K-TIMBER today for the best advice and quotes.

• ADDRESSS VIET NAM (K-TIMBER): 169 Nguyen Ngoc Vu street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
• ADDRESSS ANGOLA ( HATC WOOD AFRICAN): Av. Pedro de Castro Van-Dúnem Loy, Luanda, Angola.
• Phone: (+84) 833333914
• Email: [email protected]