SOUTH AMERICAN MAHOGANY
(Swietenia macrophylla)
(Central American Mahogany; British Honduras Mahogany;
Costa Rican Mahogany; Brazilian; Peruvian; Nicaraguan)

 

SOURCE This beautiful wood comes from Central America. Specifically the countries of Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua, and British Honduras.
THE TREE Large canopy tree in the natural rainforest, sometimes rising to over 150 feet in height with trunks more than 6 feet in diameter.
COLOR Light to dark reddish brown. Dark colored gum or white deposits in pores.
GRAIN Straight to interlocked. Texture medium to coarse.
USES High value furniture, cabinets, boat interiors, pianos, carving, turning, mouldings, dies and veneers.
POSITIVE PROPERTIES Works easily with hand or power tools. Glues, nails and screws well. Stains and polishes to an excellent finish. Dries rapidly and undistorted. Heartwood is durable, but extremely resistant to preservative. Moderate steam bending quality.
NEGATIVE PROPERTIES Sapwood susceptible to power post beetle and more common furniture beetle. Can have high shrinkage in kiln drying. Low bending strength. Low stiffness and resistance to shock. Has been exploited and is becoming increasingly rare.
PURCHASE SOURCES

Ross Cabinets - http://www.reach.net/~rosscab/wood/samahog.htm

Medley Hardwoods - http://www.medleyhardwoods.com

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