 African Mahogany (Khaya spp.)
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Common Name(s): African Mahogany Scientific Name: Khaya spp. (Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis) Distribution: West tropical Africa Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 43 lbs/ft3 (685 kg/m3) Hardness: 910 lbf (4,040 N) Rupture Strength: 12,240 lbf/in2 (84,410 kPa) Elastic Strength: 1,383,000 lbf/in2 (9,540 MPa) Crushing Strength: 8,100 lbf/in2 (55.9 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.7%, Tangential: 6.6%, Volumetric: 10.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.8 |
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a reddish brown, also exhibiting an optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy. (See video below.)
Grain/Pore: Has a medium to coarse texture with open pores. The grain can be straight, irregular, or interlocked.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; orange/brown deposits occasionally present; growth rings usually indistinct, though sometimes distinct due to terminal parenchyma; rays not visible without lens; parenchyma scanty to vasicentric, and occasionally banded/terminal.
Durability: Rated as moderately durable, with resistance to termites, but vulnerable to beetles.
Workability: Easy to work, glue, and finish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked.
Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African Mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price/Availability: Usually moderately priced considering the lumber is consider an exotic wood species. Some trees are also grown on plantations, which may help keep the cost down.
Comments: African Mahogany in the Khaya genus is considered to be a valid substitute for Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), otherwise known as “Genuine Mahogany.”
Common uses include: plywood, turned items, furniture, boat-building, and interior trim.
None available.
Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the turned photo of this wood species.
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African Mahogany (sanded) |
 African Mahogany (sealed) |
 African Mahogany (endgrain) |
 African Mahogany (endgrain 10x) |
 African Mahogany (turned) |
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:20 am
I have just bought a 30hectre farm with 20 000 square metres of African Mahogany ready to fell. How do i go about getting the market
value for the trees ? The farm is in South Africa, Tzaanen Limpopo province.
September 27th, 2011 at 10:53 am
dear sir firstly you will have to fell the trees and kilin dry it and the in to timber if you want a market for the timber please contact the writer or email the writer who has a very good idea for a pilot project .
thank you.
F.E.Khan
January 19th, 2012 at 8:31 am
I used mahogany to trim out 4 cedar exterior pergola posts. I want to know if the mahagony will turn gray over time as the posts have? The wood was not sealed. If not can they be stained to a gray tone? thanks.