Mahogany is prized for beautiful color, straight grain, excellent workability, and large timbers that are defect free. Mahogany is widely used both indoors for fine furniture, and outdoors for furniture and millwork due to its excellent stability (the wood does not expand and contract as other woods do) and good rot and insect resistance. However, there are a number of different species of woods that are often marketed as “Mahogany.” While these wood species may be beautiful and desirable woods in their own right, they may not have the same working characteristics, grain, color, and perhaps most importantly, stability and rot or insect resistance as “real” Mahogany. How can you make sure that you are getting the right wood for your needs? Becoming familiar with the woods that are marketed as Mahogany is a good first step.
Genuine Mahogany
Cuban mahogany (Sweitenia mahogani)
Genuine mahogany, or Cuban mahogany (Sweitenia mahogani) is no longer commercially available. This species is listed on CITES Appendix II and is Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once widely distributed throughout the Caribbean and Florida, the species was over harvested, and most remaining individuals are small and weedy, making recovery unlikely. The closely related Sweitenia macrophylla or Honduran mahogany, native to Central and South America, is now considered “genuine Mahogany.”
Honduran mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla)
Honduran mahogany has the same characteristics as the commercially exhausted Cuban mahogany, with beautiful grain, excellent workability and stability, and good rot and insect resistance. While the species is also listed on CITES Appendix II and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to a 20% decline in populations, Honduran mahogany is widely grown on plantations and thus remains available for woodworking projects through certified sources, although export is controlled.
Honduran mahogany fruit and leaves.
Photo: J.M Garg
The family Meliaceae, which includes Honduran mahogany, comprises about 50 genera and 550 species of flowering plants. Of these species, several that would be good substitutes for Honduran mahogany are not widely commercially available: Andiroba (Carapa guianensis), sometimes called “Royal Mahogany;” Dibetou (Lovoa trichilioides), sometimes called “African walnut” or “Tigerwood;” and Bosse (Guarea spp.). Other species that are in the same family do not have a similar appearance, such as Avodire (Turraeanthus africanus) , which is a blonde wood, although these species may otherwise be very similar and commercially available. Of those species that are similar in appearance and widely available, two are commonly used as substitutes for Honduran mahogany:
African mahogany (Khaya spp.)
Khaya, or African mahogany, is closely related to Sweitenia species and exhibits some similar characteristics. Although not as stable as Honduran mahogany, and lacking the ease of workability found in Honduran mahogany, it does have good insect and rot resistance. Khaya spp. are not listed on the CITES appendices but can be found on the IUCN Red List, where they are listed as Vulnerable due to a 20% decline in population. Overall, Khaya has characteristics similar to Honduran mahogany, is widely available, and is lower priced, making this species a good substitute.
Khaya senegalensis, near Mt. Tenakourou, Burkina Faso
Photo: Marco Schmidt
Sapele mahogany (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
Sapele is a beautiful wood with a natural luster and often occurs with figured grain patterns (pommele, ribbon) that can make this wood an excellent choice for millwork or indoor furniture. Sapele is not as stable as Honduran mahogany and, like Khaya, is more difficult to work due to its interlocking grain. It exhibits good insect and rot resistance. Like Khaya, it is not listed in the CITES appendix but is Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to a population decline. A closely related species is not widely commercially available is called Sipo Mahogany. Although Sapele can be used as a replacement for Honduran mahogany, this wood is best recognized for its beautiful luster and grain patterns. Sapele is widely available and lower priced than Honduran mahogany.
Wine cellar millwork in ribbon Sapele.
Photo: Kodama
Finally, there are some other species that, although often marketed as “Mahogany,” have such characteristics as inconsistent grain patterns, poor stability or workability, or a susceptibility to insect damage and rot. Sometimes, these woods have been labelled “Mahogany” from a commercial motive. These “mahoganies” include Philippine mahogany (Shorea spp.), Santos mahogany (Myroxylon balsamum), Swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta), and Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.). Again these woods may have desirable properties or a grain pattern that suits your project, but none of these woods are Honduran mahogany and should not be confused with it.
Becoming familiar with the woods that are labelled “Mahogany” helps ensure that you won’t be confused by marketing hype when looking at Mahogany and substitutes. We also recommend working closely with your local woodworker for any project. Ask to see samples of various species that may be suited to your needs, whether this is a wood that is insect and rot resistant, or one with figure and luster. Factors such as cost, availability, and appearance of the project may wind up influencing your decision more than the need for workability or insect resistance. To ensure that your custom woodworking is crafted from a wood that truly meets your needs, make sure to deal with a reputable company that will spend time answering your questions and helping you make the best choice for your custom piece.