Spalted Mango
Mangifera indica • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked and irregular grain with prominent fungal spalting. Features coarse texture and dramatic dark brown to black streaks caused by Scytalidium species fungus.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically golden brown, yellow, or pinkish with dark brown spalting lines. Sapwood is yellowish-white and usually clearly defined. Highly susceptible to color change without UV protection.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to decay and insect attack, which is why it is often harvested specifically for the spalting effect formed during initial decay.
Common Uses
Furniture, musical instruments (ukuleles and guitars), turned bowls, veneer, and decorative cabinetry.
Geographic Origin
Native to tropical Asia, widely cultivated in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central/South America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 to $30.00 per board foot depending on the intensity of spalting and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be modern, kiln-dried stock with early-stage spalting, estimated at 1-3 years since harvest based on the brightness of the yellow tones.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable as it is a byproduct of fruit production.
Workability
Generally easy to work, but spalted areas can be soft and prone to tearout. Interlocked grain can cause fuzzing during planning. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Known for its 'mango' scent when freshly cut. Spalting creates unique 'zone lines' that make every piece a one-of-a-kind decorative specimen.
Finish Recommendations
Stabilizing resin or thin cyanoacrylate (CA) glue on soft spalted spots is recommended. Finishes well with polyurethane, lacquer, or oils that pop the chatoyance.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive combination of golden base color, coarse grain texture, and characteristic black 'zone lines' of spalting is representative of Mangifera indica.