Bilinga Round Logs

Bilinga Round Logs – Precious Timber from the Rainforests of Central & West Africa – Thanh Lam Wood

Origin
Bilinga timber is harvested from the Bilinga tree, a valuable hardwood species growing in the dense tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is highly regarded for its outstanding properties and is widely used in applications ranging from high–end furniture to fine handicrafts.

1. Wood Characteristics
Appearance & Color

Bilinga is easy to recognize thanks to its distinctive appearance:

Bark: Thick, grey–brown bark protecting the inner wood.

Heartwood: Dark olive to chocolate brown, often featuring attractive dark brown or black streaks that give each piece a unique, premium character.

Sapwood: Lighter in color, creating a natural contrast that enhances the overall aesthetic.

Grain: Typically straight or slightly interlocked; once planed and sanded, it offers a deep, rich surface well–suited for high–end interior and decorative applications.

Physical Properties

Bilinga has an air–dry density of around 0.80–0.95 g/cm³, making it a hard, heavy and mechanically strong hardwood. It has very good natural resistance to decay, fungi and insect attack, allowing products made from Bilinga to maintain stability and long service life, even in many outdoor conditions.

With proper tools and techniques, Bilinga is relatively easy to process – it can be sawn, planed, turned and sanded to achieve a smooth, attractive surface that highlights its natural grain and color. This makes it a favorite choice for experienced woodworkers and interior manufacturers.

2. Main Applications

High–end furniture
Thanks to its combination of elegance and strength, Bilinga is widely used for premium furniture such as dining tables, cabinets, sideboards, shelves and statement tabletops. Each item made from Bilinga is not only durable but also visually unique due to its characteristic grain and color variation.

Interior decoration
Bilinga is also popular in interior finishing: wall and ceiling panels, flooring, skirtings and other decorative details. Its warm, deep tones and striking grain help create refined, cozy and sophisticated spaces in homes, offices, hotels, resorts and other high–end commercial projects.

Handicrafts & decorative items
With its firm texture and good carving properties, Bilinga is suitable for handcrafted products such as jewelry boxes, sculptures, decorative objects and wood accessories. The wood’s natural beauty provides an ideal “canvas” for artisans, turning each piece into a distinctive work of art.

3. Supply & Harvesting

The availability of Bilinga timber is closely linked to legal and sustainable harvesting practices in African countries. Responsible logging is essential to preserve tropical rainforest ecosystems and ensure the long–term viability of this valuable resource.

Experienced timber trading companies play a key role in maintaining a stable and transparent supply chain – from harvesting and primary processing through to logistics and export. Thanks to this, Bilinga can be supplied regularly on a monthly basis to customers worldwide, serving a wide range of needs in furniture production, interior decoration and handicraft manufacturing.

Conclusion

Bilinga is a premium natural hardwood that combines aesthetic appeal, mechanical strength and versatile application. Its dark olive–to–chocolate heartwood, lighter sapwood, attractive grain and high durability against decay and insects make it an ideal choice for high–end interiors, decorative work and fine handcrafted products.

In a market that increasingly values legally sourced and sustainably harvested materials, Bilinga stands out as a responsible option for both businesses and end–users—delivering beauty and performance to each project, while supporting environmentally responsible forestry and local communities in its regions of origin.