Mahogany
[Ma-ha-go-ni]; [Swietenia macrophylla]; trade name: Real Mahogany (DE), American Mahogany(UK, US), Caoba (MX)
|
Origin |
Central and South America |
|
Raw density |
490 – 590 kg/m³ |
|
Durability class |
2 |
|
Radial shrinkage |
0,11 – 0,15 % |
|
Tangential shrinkage |
0,17 – 0,23 % |
|
Wood color |
light to dark reddish brown with a golden sheen |
|
Wood structure |
Medium-sized pores, often filled with dark, sometimes also with white, non-mineral core materials, fiber course mostly with alternating twist growth |
|
Use |
as solid wood ; windows, doors, furniture, in ship, yacht and sports boat construction |
American mahogany, a trade name, mainly comprises the three species of the Swietenia genus, mainly Swietenia macrophylla from the Neotropics. Formerly originating from the species Swietenia mahagoni and Swietenia humilis, today mahogany wood is mainly traded from Swietenia macrophylla. The severely depleted stocks of Swietenia mahagoni are used locally, while the heavier wood of Swietenia humilis is rarely traded. Genuine mahogany from Swietenia macrophylla plantations in Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly available. All species are subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Swietenia macrophylla, the American mahogany, enjoys the highest economic recognition due to its extensive distribution area. Its high-quality wood is traded under various trade names such as Brazilian, Honduras, Amazon, Nicaragua or Tabasco mahogany. On international markets, it fetches up to 1,600 US dollars per cubic meter. Mahogany wood, known for its good durability and resistance to biotic influences, is used in interior finishing, furniture making, woodturning and shipbuilding. The wood’s properties, from its color to its structure, make it particularly attractive and versatile. Swietenia macrophylla is also used in folk medicine, for soil erosion control and in reforestation. It is also used as an ornamental shrub, shade tree and as an ingredient in potting substrates
The mahogany tree also impresses with growth heights of up to 70 meters and trunk diameters of 3.50 meters. As an emergent, it towers above the canopy, but its majestic appearance belies the serious dangers. Slow-growing and only flowering after 10-15 years, it is susceptible to overexploitation. Selective harvesting threatens regeneration, and in some regions, such as Mexico and Amazonia, stocks are already depleted. The preservation of this valuable tree requires urgent protective measures.
Sources: Wikipedia, Holz vom Fach(GD Holz)
from 15,00 €
from 26,40 €
from 15,00 €
from 24,70 €
from 43,50 €
from 15,00 €
from 15,00 €
from 42,30 €
