Bosse Round Logs

Bosse Eound – African Red Cedar for Premium Interiors & Veneer – Thanh Lam Wood

Origin
Bosse round logs (commercially known as Bosse, Guarea cedrata, African Cedar) are a natural hardwood sourced from the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, mainly in countries such as Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and Ivory Coast. On the international market, Bosse is widely traded as round logs and sawn timber, serving veneer production, interior furniture and high–end interior and exterior decoration.

1. Wood Characteristics
Appearance & Color

In round–log form, Bosse typically has:

Bark: Grey–brown to reddish–brown, relatively smooth and of medium thickness.

Heartwood: Light red to reddish–brown, sometimes with a slight orange hue; once finished, it develops a warm, elegant tone that is easy to recognize.

Sapwood: Paler, with light yellow to light pink shades; clearly distinguishable from the heartwood but without harsh contrast.

Grain: Generally straight or gently interlocked, with fine texture. After planing, sanding and finishing, the surface feels very smooth and refined.

Some Bosse logs have a mild cedar–like fragrance, pleasant and subtle, reinforcing its character as a premium interior hardwood.

Thanks to its warm reddish–brown color, fine grain and natural sheen, Bosse is particularly well–suited for high–end furniture and veneer.

Physical & Mechanical Properties

Bosse is a medium to moderately heavy hardwood, with:

Strength & load–bearing: Sufficient for interior joinery, light structural components and long–term indoor use.

Dimensional stability: When properly kiln–dried and treated, Bosse has good dimensional stability, with low risk of warping or checking – ideal for boards, veneer and interior parts requiring precise sizing.

Biological durability: Moderate to fairly good durability, suitable for interior environments or covered exterior applications. For direct outdoor exposure, additional surface protection is recommended.

Workability: Bosse machines very well – easy to saw, plane, mill, turn and slice into veneer. Finished surfaces look clean, with excellent adhesion to oils, stains and varnishes. This is a major advantage for furniture factories and veneer producers.

Overall, Bosse is not as extremely heavy as species like Azobe or Pachy, but is perfectly optimized for premium interior and veneer applications, where ease of machining and high–quality finishing are essential.

2. Main Applications

From Bosse round logs, after sawing and proper processing, the timber can be used in a wide range of products:

High–end furniture: Tables, chairs, cabinets, consoles, tabletops, cabinet fronts and decorative interior details – all benefiting from its warm reddish–brown tone and fine grain.

Bosse veneer: Used as face and backing veneer for high–grade plywood, engineered furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors and decorative panels.

Interior decoration: Wall and ceiling cladding, mouldings, partitions, handrails and other décor elements that require a smooth surface and warm wood color.

Light joinery & domestic woodwork: Frames, trusses, interior joinery and household wooden items.

With its warm color palette, refined grain and easy compatibility with many design styles, Bosse is a very safe yet elegant choice for residential, hospitality, office and showroom projects looking for a high–end interior hardwood.