Genuine Mahogany and Teak
Species Spotlight
Genuine Mahogany is native to Latin America and is also produced in plantations in Fiji and Southeast Asia. It is utilized in architectural millwork, interior trim and paneling, cabinets, doors, certain exterior applications, windows, and musical instruments. It was the tropical hardwood most imported to the U.S. in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, imports tumbled following the 2003 listing of neotropical populations (roughly Central and South America) of this species on Appendix II of CITES. U.S. imports of Genuine Mahogany totaled just 4.1 million board feet in 2017, down 93% from the 1995 peak. It is now used almost exclusively in high-end projects where cost is a secondary consideration.
Spotlight On: Genuine Mahogany / Honduran Mahogany
- Species: Swietenia macrophylla
- Origin: Southern Mexico to central South America, also commonly grown on plantations.
- Characteristics / Appearance: Heartwood can vary from pale pinkish brown to a deep rich dark red-brown. The color will darken with time. Grain can be straight, interlocked, irregular, or wavy. Wood has a high luster, with a fine to coarse texture. Genuine Mahogany is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It glues, finishes and stains well and can be finished to a high natural polish.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 900 lb_f (see chart on page 57)
- Comments: This wood is highly desired for applications where wood stability and workability are important. Figured wood is common. In addition to Mahogany's rich colors, the wood also gains appeal because of the optical illusion, chatoyancy – where the wood seems to change color in the light.
Teak is indigenous to Southeast Asia though is also grown in some plantations in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The highest grades of Teak are among the most expensive exotic woods because of its unique outdoor performance characteristics. As such, it is used predominantly in very high-end exterior applications, including boatbuilding, decking, and fine outdoor furniture. Usage for millwork and windows has increased in recent years. Restrictions and new taxes on Teak exports from Myanmar have impacted international trade the last several years. However, plantation-grown Teak from around the world remains abundant.
Spotlight On: Teak
- Species: Tectona grandis
- Origin: Native to Southern Asia. Also widely grown on plantations throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
- Characteristics / Appearance: Heartwood is golden to medium brown, the color darkening with age. Grain is straight or occasionally wavy or interlocked. Teak has a coarse, uneven texture and moderate to low natural luster. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a slightly oily or greasy feel due to natural oils that protect the wood from insects and rot.
- Janka Hardness Scale: 1,070 lb_f (see chart on page 57)
- Comments: Teak is one of the most desirable woods in the world because of its superb stability, strength, and outstanding resistance to decay and rot. It is generally easy to work with, although its high silica content has a blunting effect on cutting edges. Despite its natural oils, Teak glues and finishes well, though prepping with solvent prior to gluing/finishing is sometimes necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How did the 2003 CITES Appendix II listing affect U.S. imports of Genuine Mahogany?+
Following the 2003 listing of neotropical populations of Genuine Mahogany on Appendix II of CITES, imports tumbled dramatically. U.S. imports totaled just 4.1 million board feet in 2017, down 93% from the 1995 peak.
Why is Genuine Mahogany now used almost exclusively in high-end projects?+
Because import restrictions have drastically reduced supply since the CITES listing, Genuine Mahogany is now used almost exclusively in high-end projects where cost is a secondary consideration.
What is chatoyancy in Genuine Mahogany and why does it add appeal?+
Chatoyancy is an optical illusion where the wood seems to change color in the light. This effect, combined with Mahogany's rich colors and common figured grain, adds to the wood's visual appeal.
How have recent Myanmar export policies affected the international Teak trade?+
Restrictions and new taxes on Teak exports from Myanmar have impacted international trade over the last several years. However, plantation-grown Teak from Asia, Latin America, and Africa remains abundant.
Why does Teak's high silica content matter when working the wood?+
Teak's high silica content has a blunting effect on cutting edges, which affects tooling during machining. Despite this, the wood is generally easy to work with.
Why might Teak require solvent prep before gluing or finishing?+
Teak contains natural oils that protect the wood from insects and rot, giving raw surfaces a slightly oily or greasy feel. Because of these oils, prepping with solvent prior to gluing or finishing is sometimes necessary, though Teak still glues and finishes well.