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Mahogany Lumber Profile
 
Mahogany is an evergreen tree of the West Indies, tropical American and Africa.  The tree can reach heights of 135 feet with trunks 6 to 8 feet.  According to the US Forestry wood handbook, "original mahogany wood came from the American West Indies.  It was the premier wood for fine furniture and shipbuilding in Europe as early as the 1600s.  Because the good reputation associated with the name mahogany is based on this wood, American Mahogany is sometimes referred to as true mahogany.  A related African wood, of the genus Khaya, has long been marketed as "African Mahogany" and is used for much the same purposes as American Mahogany because of its similar properties and overall appearance".
 
We use African Mahogany, Khaya ivorensis which is the most widely distributed and plentiful species of African Mahogany.  Here are a few of the excellent characteristics of African Mahogany.  The heartwood varies from pale pink to dark reddish brown.  The beautiful gain is usually interlocked and the texture is medium to coarse.  It is a durable wood that is resistant to rot, decay and infestation.  It does not warp or shrink easily, has good nailing and screwing properties and finishes extremely well.  The wood is photo sensitive and with age and exposure to light will darken into a deeper richer looking color. 
 
Overall opinion: The African Mahogany wood we use is knot free and has a nice medium reddish brown color.  We purchase rough cut boards that we can plane down to 2" inch and 1" inch thick boards.  We are also able to get nice and smooth as well as clean board surfaces by doing this.  The grain is beautiful and the texture of the wood sands to a nice finish.  This is an expensive wood, but one that will last an extremely long time if properly taken care of.  A very special wood that makes heavy as well as durable outdoor furniture.
 
Other Wood Profiles:
 
Performance of Mahogany
 
  Wood Classification------------------Hardwood
  Outdoor durability(without paint)-----Good
  Screw /nail holding capacity-----------Good
  Resistance to indentation---------Intermediate
  Heaviness(dry weight)--------------Moderate
  Board strength(bending)--------------High
  Paint holding capacity-----------------Good
  Freedom from shrinkage--------------High
  Freedom from warping----------------High
  Freedom from resin--------------------High
  Color when new---------------Dark Reddish Brown
  Color weathered------------------------Gray
  Price-------------------------------------High
 
 

Mahogany Lumber