Mahogany

Mahogany
Honduras mahogany

The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany.[1]

The term was next applied to the wood of Swietenia macrophylla, which is closely related, and known as Honduras mahogany.[2] Both are from the Meliaceae family.

Today, all species of Swietenia grown in their native locations are listed by CITES, and are therefore protected. Both Swietenia mahagoni, and Swietenia macrophylla were introduced into several Asian countries at the time of the restrictions imposed on American mahogany in the late 1990s and both are now successfully grown and harvested in plantations in those countries. The world's supply of genuine mahogany today comes from these Asian plantations, notably from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and from Fiji, in Oceania.

Species of Swietenia cross-fertilise readily when they grow in proximity; the hybrid between S. mahagoni and S. macrophylla is widely planted for its timber. Mahogany is the national tree of Dominican Republic and Belize. It also appears on the national seal of Belize.

"Mahogany" may refer to the largest group of all Meliaceae, the fifteen related species of Swietenia, Khaya and Entandrophragma. The timbers of Entandrophragma are sold under their individual names, sometimes with "mahogany" attached as a suffix, for example "sipo" may be referred to as "sipo mahogany". Kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile), a close relative, is sometimes called New Zealand Mahogany.

The term "genuine mahogany" applies to only the Swietenia mahoganies, wherever grown. The term "true mahogany" applies to any timber commercially called "mahogany" with or without qualification that is derived from the Meliaceae family. In addition to Swietenia mahoganies this applies also to Khaya (African Mahogany) and Toona (Chinese Mahogany) which are both from the Meliacae (Mahogany) family.

In addition, the US timber trade also markets various other FTC-defined species as "mahoganies" under a variety of different commercial names, most notably "Philippine mahogany", which in reality is actually from the genus Shorea, a dipterocarp. This wood is also known as Lauan or Meranti.

Uses

Mahogany has a generally straight grain and is usually free of voids and pockets. It has a reddish-brown color, which darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished. It has excellent workability, and is very durable. Historically, the tree's girth allowed for wide boards from traditional mahogany species. These properties make it a favorable wood for crafting cabinets and furniture.

Much of the first-quality furniture made in the American colonies from the mid 18th century was made of mahogany, when the wood first became available to American craftsmen. Mahogany is still widely used for fine furniture; however, the rarity of Cuban mahogany and over harvesting of Honduras and Brazilian mahogany has diminished their use. Mahogany also resists wood rot, making it attractive in boat construction. It is also often used for musical instruments, particularly the backs, sides and necks of acoustic guitars and drums shells because of its ability to produce a very deep, warm tone compared to other commonly used woods such as Maple or Birch. Guitars featuring mahogany in their construction include Martin D-18 and Gibson Les Paul models.

Mahogany is now being used for the bodies of high-end stereo phonographic record cartridges[3] and for stereo headphones[4], where it is noted for “warm” or “musical” sound.

References

  1. ^ Eighteenth- and nineteenth century sources call it Santo Domingo mahogany or Spanish mahogany (Percy Macquoid, The Age of Mahogany, 1904)
  2. ^ In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries known as Bay Wood, from the Bay of Campeche, whence it was exported. (Noted as "bay wood" as late as the Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Encyclopedia, 1931, s.v. "Mahogany")
  3. ^ Merod, Jim (February 5, 2001). "Grado’s Sonata Phono Cartridge and Other Blessings". The Stereo Times. 
  4. ^ Phillips, Wes (July 1996). "Grado Reference Series One Headphones". Stereophile magazine. 

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  • Mahogany — Ma*hog a*ny, Mahogany tree Ma*hog a*ny tree , n. [From the South American name.] 1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus {Swietenia} ({Swietenia Mahogoni}), found in tropical America. [1913 Webster] Note: Several other trees, with wood more or less… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mahogany — (englisch für Mahagoni) steht für: Mahogany (Film), ein Film aus dem Jahre 1975, produziert von Berry Gordy Mahogany ist der Name folgender Personen: Kevin Mahogany (* 1958), US amerikanischer Jazz Sänger …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • mahogany — [mə häg′ə nē, məhôg′ə nē] n. pl. mahoganies [earlier mohogeney < ?] 1. a) any of a genus (Swietenia) of tropical trees of the mahogany family, with dark, heavy heartwood b) the wood of any of these trees; esp., the hard, reddish brown to… …   English World dictionary

  • mahogany — (n.) 1670s, from Sp. mahogani, of unknown origin; perhaps from the tree s native name in Maya (Honduras). As an adjective from 1730 …   Etymology dictionary

  • mahogany — ► NOUN 1) hard reddish brown wood from a tropical tree, used for furniture. 2) a rich reddish brown colour. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • mahogany — /meuh hog euh nee/, n., pl. mahoganies, adj. 1. any of several tropical American trees of the genus Swietenia, esp. S. mahagoni and S. macrophylla, yielding hard, reddish brown wood used for making furniture. 2. the wood itself. 3. any of various …   Universalium

  • mahogany — noun (plural nies) Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1660 1. the wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees (family Meliaceae, the mahogany family): a. (1) the durable yellowish brown to reddish brown usually moderately hard and heavy wood of a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Mahogany — amerikinė svietenija statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Melijinių šeimos medieninis nuodingas augalas (Swietenia mahagoni), paplitęs Floridoje ir Pietų Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Swietenia mahagoni angl. Cuban mahogany; Mahogany; Spanish… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • mahogany — /məˈhɒgəni / (say muh hoguhnee) noun (plural mahoganies) 1. any of certain tropical American trees, especially Swietenia mahagoni and S. macrophylla, yielding a hard, reddish brown wood highly esteemed for making fine furniture, etc. 2. the wood… …  

  • mahogany — UK [məˈhɒɡənɪ] / US [məˈhɑɡənɪ] noun Word forms mahogany : singular mahogany plural mahoganies 1) a) [uncountable] a hard brown red wood, used for making furniture b) [countable] the tree that produces this wood 2) [uncountable] a brown red… …   English dictionary

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