Honduran Mahogany — Identification, Uses and Properties
Swietenia macrophylla Meliaceae
Graded by NHLA (National Hardwood Lumber Association) rules.
Highly prized for high-quality furniture and internal joinery due to its stability and aesthetic appeal.
HARDWOOD CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA FURNITURE
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Swietenia macrophylla, Swietenia macrophylla × mahogani
Family
Meliaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Caoba (Mexico), Aguano (Brazil), Mogno (Brazil), Caoba (Peru), Mara (Bolivia), Acajou (France)
Origin Region
Central & South America
Main End Uses
Furniture · Cabinetry · Veneer · Musical instruments · Boatbuilding · Carving · Turned objects · Architectural woodwork · Pattern making
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Reddish-brown
Texture
Medium and uniform.
Grain
Straight, interlocked, irregular, or wavy.
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated, white to yellowish.
Interlocked Grain
Commonly present, often producing a ribbon-like figure.
Notes
Displays high chatoyancy (optical luster). Growth rings are typically noticeable due to distinct bands of marginal parenchyma. Often confused with Khaya species (African Mahogany), which lack distinct growth rings and ripple marks.
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 200 ft
Tree height
30 – 60 m
Diameter
60–200 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
2.5–5.0 cm cm
Buoyancy
Floats
Log Conservation
Good; heartwood is naturally durable and resistant to decay.
Diameter
23.6 to 78.7 in in
Sapwood Thickness
1 to 2 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.62 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
38.7 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
3.2
Janka Hardness
960 lbf
Janka Hardness
4,270 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.31 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
4.3 %
Radial Shrinkage
2.9 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.5
Fibre Saturation Point
28 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.14 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.081 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
19.9 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
8,561 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
46.6 MPa
Crushing Strength
6,759 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
80.8 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
11,719 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
10,060 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,459,080 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Moderately durable to very durable.Dry Wood Borers
Susceptible; sapwood is prone to Lyctus borer attack.Termites
Resistant.Treatability
Poor; heartwood and sapwood are generally resistant to impregnation.Use Class
Class 2-3Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
Required for sapwood.Temporary Humidification
Low risk.Permanent Humidification
Low risk.Notes
Heartwood is durable against fungi but has low resistance to marine borers.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Rapid to medium.
Risk Distortion
Low; seasons well without much checking.
Risk Case Hardening
Low.
Risk Checking
Low.
Risk Collapse
No.
Suggested Schedule
T6-D4 (US) or Schedule E (UK).
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Low.
Tooth For Sawing
Standard.
Machining Tools
Standard steel.
Suitability Peeling
Good.
Suitability Slicing
Excellent.
Notes
Very easy to work. Slices and rotary cuts into fine veneers without preliminary treatment.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good holding.
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
Commercial Grading
NHLA Grades
FAS Select No. 1 Common
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Appendix II
Trade Notes
Listed in CITES Appendix II. Population decline over 60% in some regions; classified as Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3) or Endangered (IUCN 3.1) depending on source.
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