Genuine Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) has been regarded as the premier wood for quality cabinetry and furniture for over two hundred years. Once so plentiful that it was used as ballast in ships returning to europe from the new world it is now a rare and protected hardwood. All of our Mahogany lumber is sourced from Honduras, regarded as the highest quality modern mahogany source.

When freshly cut Mahogany is usaully a light pink to pinkish yellow in color, however, over time it will mature to the deep reddish brown that is so often imitated in lesser woods with stain and dye treatments.

Mahogany works well with both hand and machine tools and can be carved easily. It is a good wood for the beginning woodworker as there are usually very few defects to work around.

Species Distribution: Scattered areas throughout central and South America including some Caribbean islands.

Endangered?: The species is secure in El Salvador and Honduras, but it has become endangered or extinct in some regions of South America. (Bolivia, Brazil (some regions), Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, & Panama.) Honduras mahogany trees once had a distribution covering most of South America. Supply of the wood is still plentiful thanks in part to plantation harvesting.

Tree
Characteristics: Height of 150' with trunk diameters as large as 6'.

Wood
Characteristics: Straight grain with a fine even texture. Honduras Mahogany is relatively free of voids and pockets.

Color: Reddish brown to medium red which darkens to a deep reddish-brown with time.

Workability: Excellent! Honduras mahogany is one of the best woods for machining, cutting, and planing. Tools should be kept sharp, and a low angle should be used when planing Mahogany with a wavy grain pattern. Honduras Mahogany can be sanded very easily and efficiently. Routered edges are crisp and sharp. Honduras Mahogany also turns well on a lathe.

Finishing Qualities: Excellent! Honduras Mahogany readily accepts a wide range of common stains and finish.

Durability: Very Good! The wood is strong and dense. It will dent with a sharp hit from a solid blunt object. Slightly less durability than Red Oak. For outdoor applications such as patio furniture and wooden boats this boat is an excellent choice for its combination of strength and rot resistant properties. The popular Chris Craft wooden boats were built from mahogany until the early 1960 when it was replaced by fiberglass.

Drying: Honduras Mahogany can be air-seasoned and kiln-dried without appreciable warping or checking. Movement after manufacture is rated as small.

Uses: Fine furniture, cabinet making, plywood, turning, boat building, outdoor furniture.