Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
Key Facts
Scientific Name: Swietenia macrophylla, commonly called Big-leaf Mahogany.
Native Home: The tropical rainforests of Central and South America, especially the Amazon Basin.
Height: Can grow up to 150 feet (45 meters) tall.
Lifespan: Can live for several hundred years in suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Produces high-quality, reddish-brown hardwood valued for its strength and attractive grain.
Harvesting: Mature trees are selectively cut and processed into valuable timber.
Age to Harvest: Commercially harvested trees are generally around 30–50+ years old, depending on growth conditions.
Products: Used for furniture, flooring, doors, cabinets, musical instruments, and luxury woodwork.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Indigenous communities have used mahogany wood for construction, tools, and other practical purposes.
Global Spread: Mahogany has been introduced to tropical regions across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, where it is also grown commercially.
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