how hard is mahogany wood

In-depth View of Mahogany Properties & Characteristics

• Color. African Mahogany color ranges from pale pink to dark reddish-brown, depending on the age. ...
• Hardness/durability. Even though it’s a hardwood, Mahogany is not very hard. ...
• Workability. Since is a soft hardwood, it’s usually easy to work with. ...
• Stability. ...
• Pricing. ...

Full Answer

Is mahogany considered a hardwood or a soft wood?

Mahogany is considered a hard wood. The difference between softwoods and hardwoods is the leaves. If a tree looses its leaves in the winter it is considered a hard wood. A mahogany tree is in the grouping of trees that looses its leaves in the winter making it a hardwood. add a comment.

Is mahogany really heavy?

This table is made of Mahogany wood , very heavy . The Top is rectangular shape , It flips open to make a larger table. The top is connected to a very sturdy and thick column, supported by base with four feet on casters.

Is cherry wood the same as mahogany?

Cherry and mahogany both have a reddish tint, and to the untrained eye, they appear similar. But look closer, and you'll notice mahogany has close, straight grain lines. The grain lines in cherry wander, have more space between them and contain distinctive pitch pockets that add short streaks of black.

Is mahogany a soft wood?

Mahogany is one of the most popular varieties of hardwood, used in creating furniture, musical instruments, boats, and other items. In this DecorDezine article, we will look at the types of mahogany wood that are derived from various species of trees, and find out what differentiates one from the other.

Is mahogany a hard or soft wood?

Solid woods fit into two categories: hardwood and softwood. A hardwood is extracted from a broad-leafed tree (i.e., no needles) and include mahogany, oak, teak, birch, walnut, ash, beech, poplar, rosewood, elm, etc.

Is mahogany strong and durable?

Yes, Mahogany is an incredibly strong wood with relatively higher compressive strength and bending strength than most woods. It is a highly durable and robust wood. because of being strong, Mahogany is a popular choice in furniture making, yachts and boat making, flooring, doors, musical instruments, and many more.18-Nov-2021

Is mahogany a durable wood?

Mahogany is a durable hardwood that's often used for investment, intricate pieces of furniture. The wood species has a pleasingly fine, straight grain. Because of the trees' large size, mahogany is produced in large boards. This makes it perfect for focal point furniture.

Why is mahogany wood illegal?

Following the path of ivory, in 2003, mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction. Because Peruvian mahogany is traded in violation of CITES, it is illegal to trade or possess it under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

What are the disadvantages of mahogany?

Cons:As it is very hard as compared to others, it is difficult to cut, give different shapes, and also have a tiring installation process. ... As mahogany hardwood floors absorb sunlight, the color of the wood becomes darker over time.More items...

Is mahogany stronger than oak?

Mahogany is a hardwood, it is harder and more durable than oak, but softer than maple. Mahogany is used in many decorative settings because of the popularity and elegance of the wood. Naturally, Mahogany is a darker wood, and it accepts stain very well. The grain is what makes mahogany truly unique.10-Nov-2016

Is mahogany wood expensive?

Mahogany is sometimes sold by the board foot, and prices can average $6 to $28 or more per piece. This is about 10 times more than comparable furniture-grade woods.

What is the hardest wood?

Australian Buloke1. Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.09-Sept-2021

How long will mahogany wood last?

This means that mahogany is perfect for decking, it can last more than 20 years with less maintenance. It can last more than 40-50 years under good care. It can also last quite a long time in bad weather and soil. There is no rotting in this wood.14-Jan-2021

Is it illegal to own mahogany?

"This wood is illegal as a matter of both U.S. and international law. It is illegal to trade in it, to import it, and to possess it. Even so, the Bush administration has done nothing to stop Peruvian mahogany from entering the country," said Carroll Muffett, director of Defenders of Wildlife's International Program.14-Apr-2005

Can you still buy mahogany?

South American Mahogany will continue to be available but supplies will be limited and prices will be much more than they were just a few years ago.12-Sept-2010

Why is mahogany so valuable?

Of more importance than the cost factor is the stability of mahogany. It isn't. While a very strong wood, mahogany has the highest rate of absorption of humidity from the air of any wood used in the construction of furniture. On a scale of 1.00, the 45 different species of mahogany are said to have an average .

What is mahogany wood called?

This wood is also called Lauan or Meranti .

Why is mahogany not planted in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, environmentalists are calling for an end to the planting of mahogany because of its negative impact on the environment and wildlife, including possibly causing soil acidification and no net benefit to wildlife.

How many tons of mahogany were imported in 1740?

Importations of mahogany into England (and excluding those to Scotland, which were recorded separately) reached 525 tons per annum by 1740, 3,688 tons by 1750, and more than 30,000 tons in 1788, the peak year of the 18th century trade.

Where do macrophylla grow?

mahagoni grows on the West Indian islands as far north as the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and parts of Florida; S. humilis grows in the dry regions of the Pacific coast of Central America from south-western Mexico to Costa Rica; S. macrophylla grows in Central America from Yucatan southwards and into South America, extending as far as Peru, Bolivia and extreme western Brazil. In the 20th century various botanists attempted to further define S. macrophylla in South America as a new species, such as S. candollei Pittier and S. tessmannii Harms., but many authorities consider these spurious. According to Record and Hess, all of the mahogany of continental North and South America can be considered as one botanical species, Swietenia macrophylla King.

Where did mahogany trees come from?

The origin of the name is uncertain, but it could be a corruption of 'm'oganwo', the name used by the Yoruba and Ibo people of West Africa to describe trees of the genus Khaya, which is closely related to Swietenia. When transported to Jamaica as slaves, they gave the same name to the similar trees they saw there. Though this interpretation has been disputed, no one has suggested a more plausible origin. The indigenous Arawak name for the tree is not known. In 1671 the word mahogany appeared in print for the first time, in John Ogilby 's America. Among botanists and naturalists, however, the tree was considered a type of cedar, and in 1759 was classified by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) as Cedrela mahagoni. The following year it was assigned to a new genus by Nicholas Joseph Jacquin (1727–1817), and named Swietenia mahagoni .

Where is mahogany grown?

Honduran or big-leaf mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ), with a range from Mexico to southern Amazonia in Brazil, the most widespread species of mahogany and the only genuine mahogany species commercially grown today. Illegal logging of S. macrophylla, and its highly destructive environmental effects, led to the species' placement in 2003 on ...

Where is mahogany tree plantation?

Foliage of a mahogany tree. Red mahogany tree Khaya anthotheca. Mahogany tree plantation in Jessore, Bangladesh. Mahogany is a straight- grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus Swietenia, indigenous to the Americas and part of the pantropical chinaberry family, Meliaceae .

How big is a mahogany tree?

Tree Size: With 100-130 ft (30-40 m) height, Mahogany is one of the highest naturally-grown trees. The trunk diameter is usually 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) in size. Some of the reasons why Mahogany is so popular among woodworkers, luthiers and merchants is the easy availability and workability of this African hardwood.

What is the color of mahogany?

Mahogany is a world-class wood species that is found in many variants, such as African Mahogany, Cuban Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany, Santos Mahogany, Mountain Mahogany, Philippine Mahogany, etc., mainly based on the origin. It’s a heartwood, usually in deep red-brown color, with occasional dark reddish streaks.

What is mahogany furniture made of?

Almost everywhere in the world, Mahogany furniture is made with either locally-grown or imported Mahogany wood. The furniture made from Mahogany wood has a premium look and moderate stability. They look even better with a clean finish.

What is mahogany wood used for?

Mahogany wood properties allow it to be used in both timber and logs forms, mainly for making furniture, cabinets, flooring, etc Also , mahogany slabs are also widely used for various interior and exterior furniture making.

Where is mahogany grown?

Common Mahogany Wood Properties. Scientific Name: Khaya spp. Distribution: West tropical Africa, African Mahogany is grown in almost all parts of the country, but major plantation can be found in the West tropical regions. Tree Size: With 100-130 ft (30-40 m) height, Mahogany is one of the highest naturally-grown trees.

Is mahogany hardwood hard?

Even though it’s a hardwood, Mahogany is not very hard. It ranks average in terms of hardness and has moderate, but not high, durability. Being not very durable, it’s poor to medium resistant to insects.

Is African mahogany easy to cut?

Since is a soft hardwood, it’s usually easy to work with. It is also easy to mill or cut in different shapes or timber sizes. At Cameroon Timber Export, you can buy African Mahogany timber in all standard sizes and shapes.

What is mahogany wood?

Mahogany wood is known for its pinkish or reddish-brown hue. Mahogany is a pinkish or reddish-brown type of wood commonly used in furniture. Mahogany is typically very smooth in texture, with few knots or voids, making it a desirable type of wood aesthetically, and easy to work with when building furniture or musical instruments.

How to tell if a wood is mahogany or softwood?

Step 1. Press your fingernail into the wood to determine whether or not it's a soft or hardwood. If your fingernail leaves a mark, it is softwood. If not, it's a hardwood, which means it might be mahogany.

Where is mahogany native to?

Swietenia mahagoni is the rarest sub-type and is native to Florida, parts of Central America and the Carribbean. The latter two can both be found in South America. Advertisement.

How to tell if wood is solid or veneer?

Observe the corners of the wood in order to determine if the wood is solid or a veneer. If you can see a thin layer at the end of the edge, it's a veneer, not mahogany.

Is mahogany a pink color?

Observe the color. Though mahogany is mostly known for being a darker redd ish-brown when varnished or stained, mahogany that hasn't aged much can be more pink in color. Advertisement. references. Antique HQ: How To Identify Wood Used To Make Antique Furniture. Arkive: Big Leaf Mahogany.

3,630 lbf (16,150 N)

Also known as Curupay or by the exaggerated name Patagonian Rosewood, Cebil is not a true rosewood. It has a highly variable streaked appearance not too unlike Goncalo Alves.

3,655 lbf (16,260 N)

Some pieces can be just about a dark as true ebony, while others are a more reddish brown with black streaks. So much depth in the Swartzia genus, there’s something for everyone!

3,660 lbf (16,280 N)

Pieces are very seldom seen for sale, as this tree is too small to produce commercially viable lumber. Like the unrelated Desert Ironwood, Black Ironwood is an excellent choice for small turning projects.

3,670 lbf (16,320 N)

In some parts of the world, this wood has achieved an almost legendary status. Historical evidence points to this wood (rather than Diospyros spp.) being the original “ebony.”

3,680 lbf (16,370 N)

Formerly classified as a member of the Acacia genus, this south African hardwood is a tough customer. The wood is stubbornly hard, and the tree is protected by giant sharp thorns.

3,710 lbf (16,520 N)

Sometimes called Argentine Lignum Vitae, this wood is a gem: inexpensive, great olive-green color, beautiful feathery grain pattern, and it takes a great natural polish on the lathe.

3,800 lbf (16,900 N)

It’s easy to see what makes Snakewood so unique–its patterns and markings resemble the skin of a snake. Limited supply and high demand make this one of the most expensive woods on earth!

Summary

Description

Overview

History of American mahogany trade

Uses

Mahogany as an invasive species