Sapele has a fine texture with its grain interlocked and producing uniforms and narrow striping on quarter-sawn surfaces. Sapele’s wood has generally higher mechanical properties than white oak. Sapele's woodworks efficiently with machine tools, but its interlocked grains make it challenging to plane. Sapele glues and finishes nicely, with its heartwood being moderately durable and resistant to preservative treatment. Sapele wood can be used as lumber and veneer.