Family: Meliaceae, the mahogany family.
Origin: African Mahogany is most plentiful in the rain forests of Nigeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast, although it grows in all of the timber producing countries of West Africa.
Other common names: Benin wood, Lagos wood, Acajou, Khaya, Ivory Coast mahogany, Nigerian mahogany, Gold Coast mahogany, Degema, Grand bassam.
The tree: From its buttressed base it grows to heights of 110 to 145 ft. with a 6 ft. diameter and a clear, round bole of 40 to 80 ft.
Appearance: African Mahogany varies in color from a lighter pink brown to darker reddish shade often bordering onto purple. The grain is straight but often has a ribbon figure and crotch figures are also common.
Density: Average reported specific gravity is 0.44 to 0.65(ovendry weight/green volume), equal to an air-dried weight of 32 to 51 pcf. Janka hardness is 840 pounds of force.
Drying & shrinkage: It seasons exceptionally well with little or no warping or checking. Some trees with spongy heartwood, however will distort badly and shrink excessively and unevenly. Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 2.5% to 3.2% radial and 4.5% to 5.6% tangential.
Working properties: It is usually an easy wood to work with, the exception being if the grain is interlocking which is hard to surface without tearing. It glues well and will split when nailing only in thin dimensions. It stains evenly and polishes satisfactorily. Coated or non-ferrous fastenings should be used because the wood reacts to iron resulting in dark stains. Possible adverse reactions from the dust include dermatitis, rhinitis, respiratory problems and nasal cancer.
Durability: In log form, it is not resistant to attack by beetles and borers but is fairly resistant to fungi. It can’t be treated with preservatives.
Uses: African mahogany is largely used for furniture, high-end joinery, paneling, interior work and of course, boat building. it often replaces American mahogany because of its greater abundance and lower cost.
Availability: Supplies are adequate and it is readily available in a wide range of sizes and also in plywood form at a moderate price.