Honduras mahogany or “true mahogany” is botanically Swietenia macrophylla and belongs to the Meliaceae family. Mahogany was one of the first overseas woods to be imported to Europe from the New World. The overexploitation of the stands quickly led to overexploitation and thus to the use of replacement timber from the same family. The African relatives Sipo, Kosipo, Tiama and Khaya “mahogany” are well known. The real mahogany is widespread in the Caribbean and in Central and South America.
The heartwood is yellow to pinkish reddish brown when freshly cut, darkening considerably. The pores are medium-coarse and scattered, often conspicuously marked by dark and light-colored core materials. On longitudinal surfaces, the storage cells arranged in a ribbon-like pattern produce a fine veining. Grain mostly straight to slightly twisted, homogeneous, decorative.
At a wood moisture content of 12%, the density is 0.48 – 0.65 t/m3. Swietenia is easy to dry and has excellent staying power. All forms of processing are possible, including Woodturning and carving. Smooth and decorative surfaces are created. Nothing is known about allergic irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.
High-quality, medium-duty wood for furnishings, classic furniture wood, dimensionally stable frames, boat and yacht building, musical instruments.
| References: |
Guitar, Jochen Imhof, SIGN GUITARS |
| Sources: |
Trop. Forestry Pap.No.20 (1990) Mex.& Belizian Timbers, OFI-Oxford GOTTWALD (1970): Wood identification of the most important commercial woods ATIBT (1990): Atlas of Latin American Timbers |
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