Mahogany

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For other uses, see Mahogany (disambiguation).

This article refers to the timber only.

Mahogany

The name mahogany was first used for wood of Swietenia mahagoni, sometimes referred to as Spanish or Cuban mahogany, later also for the wood of the closely related Swietenia macrophylla, sometimes referred to as Honduras mahogany. Today, all species of Swietenia are listed by CITES, i.e. protected.

The name "mahogany" is also widely used for that of the African genus Khaya (closely related to Swietenia), more correctly African mahogany.

Used in the plural, "mahoganies" may refer to the wider group of all the timbers yielded by the three related genera Swietenia, Khaya and Entandrophragma. The timbers of Entandrophragma are traded under their individual names, sometimes with "mahogany" attached: for example "sipo" may sometimes be called "sipo mahogany"

In addition the timber trade deals with many so-called "mahoganies" with various adjectives attached, notably "Philippine mahogany". These woods have nothing to do with mahogany proper.

[edit] Uses

Mahogany has a straight, fine and even grain, and is relatively free of voids and pockets. Mahogany has a redish brown color which darkens over time, and displays a beautiful reddish sheen when polished. It has excellent workability, and is very durable and slow to rot. For those reasons, it is a traditionally favorite wood for interiors and boats as well as for making furniture (see Chippendale) and other durable objects.

Mahogany is a very popular material for drum making, because of its great integrity and capability to produce a very dark, warm tone compared to other more common wood types like maple or birch. The famous Beatles sound of the 60s was made with Ludwig Drums in mahogany shells. Today, several drum manufacturers have rediscovered the features of mahogany shells, resulting in several high end series offering shells made in this wood.