|
AFRICAN MAHOGANY
(Khaya anthotheca)
(Lagos wood; Nigerian Mahogany; Ghana Mahogany;
Ivory Coast Mahogany; Benin mahogany; Grand Bassam mahogany;
Benin wood; Acajou d'Afrique; Ngdelon; Khaya; Acajou blanc;
Munyama; Dubini; Dukuma fufu)
|
| SOURCE |
Lower
rainfall regions of Africa from Sierra Leone to Ghana. From south-eastern
Nigeria to Uganda and Zaire. |
| THE
TREE |
Grows
to a height of about 180 feet. Trunk diameter is about 4 feet. |
| COLOR |
Initially
pink in color, but darkens to reddish brown. Sapwood is whitish and yellowish
in color. Heartwood and sapwood are very different. Natural luster. |
| GRAIN |
Interlocked
grain. Has stripes or roey figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. Can be attractively
figured and is highly suitable for decorative applications. Texture is
variable, but usually medium to coarse. |
| USES |
Fine
furniture, boat building and any application where good quality, medium
weight hardwood is needed. |
| POSITIVE
PROPERTIES |
Natural
resistance to decay. Bending strength is similar to Teak. Resists denting
and marring. High density. Dimensional stability is good. Seasoned wood
holds shape. Nailing satisfactory. Polishes to excellent finish. Works
well. Responds fairly well to steam bending. Easily peeled and sliced
into veneer. Seasons rapidly with little degrade. Shrinkage is small.
Pleasing appearance. |
| NEGATIVE
PROPERTIES |
Brittleheart
may occur in logs. Can cause thunder shakes, cross-breaks, or heart breaks.
May contain tension wood. Can cause extreme distortion during drying.
Timber that is put through steam bending operation may buckle. Moulding
properties are only fair. Can have considerable tearing. Sawdust when
machined may cause skin irritation. Heartwood does not respond to preservatives.
Heartwood is susceptible to termites. Sapwood gets attacked by powder-post
beetles and common furniture beetle. |
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