What’s the strongest wood on the planet?

Timber is notoriously tough. As a building material, it can last not only for decades or centuries, but for thousands of years. The oldest timber constructions found in London excavations were built around 6,000 years ago, while Greenstead’s St. Andrews Church is around 1,000 years old and still standing.

If you are taking on any construction project, one of the most important factors is to ensure your construction lasts – and if there’s any timber involved, so is the species you choose. To help you make the right choice, here is a closer look at two of the strongest timbers on the planet: Ekki and Greenheart.

Ekki Timber

Ekki (sometimes referred to as Azobe) is a tropical hardwood sourced from West Africa. It is one of the densest and heaviest timbers available, with incredible durability, which makes it a staple in heavy construction and civil or marine engineering. From decking to bridges, it is a sturdy choice for a wide range of projects.

With a Durability Class 1 rating (the highest possible), this wood is pretty much unbeatable in terms of resistance to rot, decay and insect attack. This tropical timber also boasts a crushing strength of 96 MPa and a static bending strength of 162 MPa. In comparison, Oak has a crushing strength of 46-51 MPa and a static bending strength of around 70-100 MPa, proving that EKki is significantly stronger.

Even in areas exposed to constant moisture and saltwater, it holds up exceptionally well, making it a go-to timber for marine structures. In fact, we supplied Ekki timber boards for the construction of Hastings Pier, which is now an award-winning structure.

Do note, though, that its density can make it tricky to work with if you do not have the right tools. We recommend only opting for Ekki if you are a professional and have the specialised equipment to take on the toughest of timbers.

Greenheart Timber

Greenheart, native to the tropical regions of South America such as Guyana, is another hardwood with impressive properties. Like Ekki, it also achieves a Durability Class 1 rating, meaning it can withstand decades of use without succumbing to rot or insect damage. Its strength-to-weight ratio is remarkable, giving it outstanding load-bearing capabilities.

• Crushing strength: 98 MPa
• Static bending strength: 217 MPa – even higher than Ekki!

This is a timber which is particularly favoured for marine projects such as sea defence groynes and ground works such as railways, where strength and durability are key. From piers to fenders, we would recommend it time and again for these heavy-duty applications.

Which is Right For Your Project?

Both Ekki and Greenheart are world-class timbers when it comes to strength and durability. Ekki is available in a wider range of sizes helps its widespread use in civil engineering and reliable choice for land-based heavy structures and decking, while Greenheart’s superior performance against marine borers gives it the edge for underwater or coastal applications such as piers, fenders and piling.

Ultimately, though, these two timbers are usually interchangeable. Ekki also does exceptionally well in marine environments, while Greenheart is sometimes chosen for decking. For many of our clients, the choice comes down to appearance. While Greenheart brings a warm gold to your construction, Ekki is a darker brown with clear red undertones.

Find the Strongest Timber For Your Project

Still not sure which to choose? No problem, we are here to help. At EcoChoice, we are experts in all things timber and can supply sustainable, FSC or PEFC-certified Ekki and Greenheart to constructions around the UK. To find out which is better suited to your requirements, get in touch and tell us more about your project.