Receiving Helpdesk

is mahogany a hardwood

by Bennie Denesik Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

mahogany, any of several tropical hardwood timber trees, especially certain species in the family Meliaceae. One such is Swietenia mahagoni, from tropical America. It is a tall evergreen tree with hard wood that turns reddish brown at maturity.

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 a hard or soft wood?

There are flamenco guitars made from Spanish Cedar (and some necks, too)., but that is not a true cedar, rather a hardwood more in common with mahogany than the cedar used for tops (a softwood). Just a semi-educated guess on my part, though.

What is the relationship between mahogany and wood?

Mahogany wood is a richly colored lumber that is among the more valuable wood species in the world. It is known for its unique pink coloring, which develops into a deep reddish-brown as the wood ages. Unlike alternative wood products, such as oak or pine, mahogany features very few knots or voids. This gives the wood a smooth, even grain ...

What are some natural wood alternatives to mahogany?

  • Swietenia macrophylla (Honduran mahogany, West Indian mahogany, big-leaf mahogany)
  • Swietenia humilis (Mexican mahogany, Pacific Coast mahogany, Honduras mahogany)
  • Swietenia mahogani (Cuban mahogany, American mahogany, small-leaved mahogany, West Indian mahogany)

Is mahogany A strong wood?

Mahogany is harder than other woods like oak, pine, etc. In fact, it is 70% more stable and harder than other varieties of woods. Its properties of hardness and durability having no grooves or pockets make it water-resistant and scratch-free too.

Is mahogany wood good quality?

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.

Is mahogany stronger than oak?

Mahogany is a hardwood, it is harder and more durable than oak, but softer than maple.

Does mahogany scratch easily?

are harder than some oak, walnut, and even maple species, so despite its refined appearance, it can stand up to a lot of wear with minimal scratches and dings. That makes it ideal for the living room, kitchen or other high-traffic area as well as for homes with active kids or large dogs.

Is mahogany more expensive than oak?

The typical concern is mostly aesthetics and cost. Oak is less expensive than mahogany.

Is mahogany soft or hardwood?

hardwoodmahogany, any of several tropical hardwood timber trees, especially certain species in the family Meliaceae. One such is Swietenia mahagoni, from tropical America. It is a tall evergreen tree with hard wood that turns reddish brown at maturity.

Is mahogany water resistant?

Mahogany stands up extremely well to water and is even used to make boats. It resists welling, shrinking and warping very well. Due to its ability to withstand wear and water, as well as its rich, natural reddish-brown color, it is an expensive option.

What is the hardest wood in the world?

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.

Which is better teak or mahogany?

In the case of mahogany, you may also notice circular rings in the wood. When it comes to durability, we all know that teak is more durable than mahogany. Teak's durability makes it a popular choice for building, boats, and ships, as well as a flooring material.

What can you clean mahogany with?

Combine equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar onto the mahogany surface and rub it in with a soft cloth or chamois cloth. The vinegar cuts through any oil or old wax on the surface and brings out the natural luster of the wood.

Does mahogany fade in sunlight?

Mahogany is photo reactive and gets darker when exposed to sunlight. If it is exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the color will fade (this takes months).

How do you repair scratches in mahogany?

0:203:465 Easy Ways to Fix Scratched Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll you do is just rub the nut firmly over the affected area and watch it disappear. Although thisMoreAll you do is just rub the nut firmly over the affected area and watch it disappear. Although this works really well I've noticed that it really only works on real wood furniture.

What is mahogany wood called?

This wood is also called Lauan or Meranti .

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 ...

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.

What is the name of the tree that is not known?

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.

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.

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 .

Mahogany Wood

Mahogany Wood is a precious and exotic wood with a dark reddish-brown color. With its strong texture and oily finish, mahogany is not just perfect for high-end furniture; it’s also used in the manufacture of doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, office furniture, paneling and other decorative accents.

Mahogany Wood Properties

Mahogany wood is known for having a very dark, reddish-brown wood that attracts its many admirers.

Uses of Mahogany Wood

Mahogany flooring is a popular choice for the home because of its strength and beautiful grain.

Mahogany Wood Advantages

Mahogany wood is very strong, which makes it a good choice for projects that are expensive. It’s also a popular choice because because of the type of wood it is.

Disadvantage of Mahogany

The color of mahogany hardwood flooring darkens with time as they absorb sunlight. This can be a disadvantage for homeowners in need of a light-colored flooring.

Mahogany Project Ready Wood

The thin wood that's perfect for scroll sawing, laser cutting and engraving, thick veneers and many other crafts.

Mahogany Turning and Carving Blanks

We carry 2x2x12 and 1.5x1.5x12 Mahogany blocks. They work great for cutting compound creations on the scroll saw, like chess pieces and Christmas ornaments. Also for turning projects on the lathe and much more.

Mahogany Pen Blanks

We carry 3/4x3/4x5 inch Mahogany blanks for pen turning. Only $0.50 each!

What is Khaya mahogany?

Botanically, Khaya is a part of the Meliaceæ family, which not only includes mahoganies, but also Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum), and a host of other commercial species. Considered to be a valid substitute for Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), otherwise known as “Genuine Mahogany.”.

What color is heartwood?

Color/Appearance: Heartwood color is variable, ranging from a very pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Quartersawn surfaces can also exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearance.

Is African mahogany a sensitizer?

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncom mon, African Mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Summary

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. Mahogany is used commercially for a wide variety of goods, due to its coloring and durable nature. It is naturally found within the Americas, but has also been imported to plantations across Asia and

Description

The three species are:
• 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 effec…

Overview

The natural distribution of these species within the Americas is geographically distinct. S. 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 Brazi…

History of American mahogany trade

In the 17th century, the buccaneer John Esquemeling recorded the use of mahogany or cedrela on Hispaniola for making canoes: "The Indians make these canoes without the use of any iron instruments, by only burning the trees at the bottom near the root, and afterwards governing the fire with such industry that nothing is burnt more than what they would have..."

Uses

Mahogany has a straight, fine, and even grain, and is relatively free of voids and pockets. Its reddish-brown color darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished. It has excellent workability, and is very durable. Historically, the tree's girth allowed for wide boards from traditional mahogany species. These properties make it a favorable wood for crafting cabinets and furniture.

Mahogany as an invasive species

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.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9