Genuine Mahogany is a more commonly-used name for Swietenia macrophylla. It’s also known as Honduran Mahogany, American Mahogany and Big-Leaf Mahogany. Uses include furniture, high-end doors, windows and wood-based musical instruments. Genuine Mahogany is a rich natural brown color, but other varieties can also have a light pinkish brown color. Its grain ranges from straight to interlocked, as well as wavy.
Uses
Uses include: Furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, veneers, musical instruments, boat-building, and carving.
Availability
In general, the availability of Genuine Mahogany depends on federal import restrictions, but Honduran Mahogany is easily available in lumber or veneer form. Harvesting and processing usually occurs in plantations. Genuine Mahogany is typically mid-range in price, especially for an imported hardwood.
Working with Genuine Mahogany
Genuine/Honduran Mahogany is easy to work, as it machines very well. Please note that when working with figured grain, there is a risk of chipping during a machining process. Mahogany is also easy to sand. Furthermore, Mahogany glues and bonds well.
Natural Range
The Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), also known as Genuine Mahogany, is native to South America and Mexico, but it has also been naturalized in countries like Singapore and Hawaii. In summary, there are now many sustainable plantations worldwide that cultivate Honduran Mahogany.
Properties
Common Name(s): Honduran Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany, American Mahogany, Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany, Brazilian Mahogany
Scientific Name: Swietenia macrophylla
Distribution: From Southern Mexico to central South America; also commonly grown on plantations
Tree Size: 150-200 ft (46-60 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 37 lbs/ft3 (590 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .52, .59
Janka Hardness: 900 lbf (4,020 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 11,710 lbf/in2 (80.8 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 1,458,000 lbf/in2 (10.06 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 6,760 lbf/in2 (46.6 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.9%, Tangential: 4.3%, Volumetric: 7.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
From: The Wood Database