Information on Mahogany Wood
Mahogany has been logged for centuries and used around the world as a building material. Its popularity coupled with the relative slow growth of the trees resulted in its endangerment. Today, most mahogany is grown in plantations.
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Where It Comes From
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Mahogany wood comes from rain forest trees in the Caribbean as well as parts of Central and South America. All these trees are endangered, and so Pacific Coast mahogany (Swietenia humilis) and Carribean mahogany (Swietenia mahogany) are no longer commercially logged. However, Swietenia macrophylla, or bigleaf mahogany, is also grown on plantations in Indonesia and Fiji, and wood from these trees is still available.
Other "Mahoganies"
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Many trees with hard, reddish wood are also commonly called mahoganies, but they really aren't, as you can tell from their scientific names. True mahogany belongs to the genus Swietenia. Phillipine mahogany belongs to the Shorea genus and grows in the Phillipines, Indonesia and Malaysia. African mahogany, from west Africa, and belongs to the genus Khaya. There are also American mahoganies, such as mountain-mahogany, which belong to the genus Cercocarpus.
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Uses
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Mahogany is a rich, reddish hardwood that is used in fine furniture, paneling, plywood, musical instruments and even caskets. It is also a good choice for outdoor use.
Advantages
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True mahogany wood doesn't need staining, sealing or pressure treating, as it is naturally resistant to insects, decay and water. It is a durable wood that is also beautiful, with a fine grain and virtually no knots.
Disadvantages
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The use of mahogany has environmental implications---rainforest mahogany is endangered, and even plantation mahogany is a slow-growing tree, giving rise to concerns about its sustainability---and it is more expensive than other choices.
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References
- Photo Credit Mahogany Bridge image by Ray Kasprzak from Fotolia.com
