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African Mahogany (Khaya)
African Mahogany is an exotic wood with a deep reddish brown color. The grain can be straight, but is typically interlocking. Working this wood is generally easy but tearing can occur when planing. It often has a shimmering figure. African Mahogany is popular for furniture, cabinetry, joinery, boat building and veneers.
Specifications:
- Common Name(s): African Mahogany
- Scientific Name: Khaya spp. (mainly K. anthotheca and K. ivorensis)
- Distribution: Found throughout tropical Africa.
- Tree Size: Reaches 100–200 ft (30–60 m) in height, with a trunk 3–6 ft (1–1.8 m) in diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 33.9 lbs/ft³ (545 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 800 N), 850 lbf (3
- Crushing Strength: 570 lbf/in² (45.3 MPa), 6
Grain/Texture:
Grain: Typically straight but may also be interlocked. Texture is medium to coarse.
Texture: Naturally lustrous with strong chatoyancy, adding depth to its visual appeal.
Texture: Naturally lustrous with strong chatoyancy, adding depth to its visual appeal.
Rot Resistance:
African Mahogany offers moderate durability. However, resistance to insects and borers is only fair to poor.
Workability:
Overall, this wood is easy to machine. Still, interlocked grain may cause tearout. In moist settings, staining can occur if it comes into contact with iron fasteners. Despite this, it glues, turns, and finishes very well.
Common Uses:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Veneer
- Interior / Exterior Trim & Millwork
- Turned Objects
Currently, five Khaya species are officially recognized. Four are widely harvested and sold as African Mahogany. The fifth, K. madagascariensis, is native to Comoros and northern Madagascar. While it produces wood similar to mahogany, it is not commonly exported. African Mahogany is often seen as a substitute for Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). Even so, it may lack the rich color and lasting durability found in true mahoganies of the Swietenia genus. Note: All Khaya species from Africa are listed under CITES Appendix II. Furthermore, the main Khaya species used for African Mahogany appear on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable. This classification results from a population decline of over 20% in the last three generations, primarily due to habitat loss and overharvesting.