Okan (Cylicodiscus gabunensis), of the Leguminosae family, comes from tropical West Africa, mainly from Nigeria and Ghana. Its heartwood, yellow to golden brown tinged with olive, turns brown in the light. The grain is interlocked and the texture medium coarse. A heavy timber, difficult to work because of the cross grain and the high density, it has a strong blunting effect on tools; gluing is poor and pre-drilling is necessary. Its high durability (class 1) suits it to outdoor and hydraulic works: lock gates, piles, harbour works and bridges. Callens African Woods offers it as hardwood sawn timber, within an FSC®-certified range.
