Honduran Mahogany
Swietenia macrophylla • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight with some subtle interlocked grain; displaying flat-sawn cathedral patterns on the raised panels and occasional ribbon-stripe tendencies in the stiles.
Color Description
Heartwood is a reddish-brown with a golden luster. It shows a medium chatoyance under the finish. Mahogany typically darkens and becomes richer over time with exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
800 lbf (Soft to Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay, though moderately susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, boat building, musical instruments, veneer, and interior joinery such as doors.
Geographic Origin
Native to Central and South America; widely grown in plantations across Tropical Asia and Fiji.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $25.00 per board foot for genuine Swietenia macrophylla.
Wood Age Estimate
40 to 60 years based on the patina of the finish, the oxidation of the wood beneath the topcoat, and the construction style of the door panels.
Sustainability Status
Listed on CITES Appendix II; IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable. FSC certification is available for plantation-grown stock.
Workability
Excellent. It tools very easily by hand or machine, glues well, and is famous for its dimensional stability, though interlocked grain can occasionally cause minor tearout during planing.
Notable Features
Distinguished by its extreme dimensional stability and lack of a pronounced scent when finished. It has a high natural luster and is prized for its uniform texture.
Finish Recommendations
Traditional lacquer or shellac is recommended to highlight depth; a grain filler is often used prior to top-coating to achieve a glass-smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive pore structure visible in the grain, the cathedral pattern on the panels, the warm reddish-brown oxidation, and its common historical use in high-quality interior doors strongly indicate Honduran Mahogany.