African Tropical Azobe Reclaimed Grade A Hardwood Sleeper (Untreated)

This is a reclaimed grade A Azobe hardwood sleeper, untreated. Azobe goes by a few names, ekki and red ironwood among them, and it comes from the rainforests of West and Central Africa. The thing to understand about it is the density: it’s a genuinely exceptional hardwood, far harder wearing than the softwoods and standard hardwoods most garden timber is cut from. The heartwood ranges from dark reddish to purple brown, with a coarse, interlocked grain that’s distinctive and tough.

For garden and outdoor projects, the appeal is that its industrial-grade strength translates directly to domestic use. This is the timber chosen for railways and bridges, jobs where the wood simply can’t fail, so as a garden sleeper it shrugs off the conditions that see ordinary timber rot. If you’ve replaced crumbling sleepers or soft edging after a couple of bad winters, Azobe is the answer to not doing it again.

Each sleeper is 2600 x 240 x 150mm and weighs around 70kg, with some width variation. Being reclaimed and untreated, it carries the marks of its past life: bolt holes where the track was fixed, and possibly some damage or slight wane. We deliver across our defined postcode area around Reading. Check your postcode is covered before ordering, or call the yard on 0118 9242888 to talk through quantities.

FAQs

What is Azobe and why is it so durable?

Azobe, also called ekki or red ironwood, is an exceptionally dense hardwood from the rainforests of West and Central Africa. It’s the timber used for railways and bridges because it’s so hard wearing, which is exactly what makes it last in the garden where ordinary timber rots.

Is it treated?

No, this is an untreated sleeper. Azobe is naturally durable enough that it doesn’t rely on a chemical treatment, which is part of why it’s chosen for demanding outdoor and structural use.

What size and condition are they?

Each is 2600 x 240 x 150mm, around 70kg, with some width variation. Being reclaimed, it will have bolt holes where the track was fixed and may have some damage or slight wane. Call the yard on 0118 9242888 for quantities.