Honduran Mahogany
Swietenia macrophylla
Honduran Mahogany is the yardstick by which all other cabinet woods are measured. It combines a rich, light-refracting beauty with mechanical stability so reliable that it became the foundation of fine furniture making in the 18th century and remains the premier choice for master craftsmen today.
Botanical Profile
Swietenia macrophylla is a large canopy tree native to the Neotropics (Mexico to Amazonia). It grows to heights of 45-60 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 2 meters. It is the most commercially significant of the three true Mahogany species, having largely replaced the decimated Cuban Mahogany (S. mahagoni).
Physical Properties
Possesses a perfect balance of density and strength. It is lighter than Oak but remarkably strong for its weight. Its most prized attribute is its low coefficient of expansion, making it one of the most stable woods on earth.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Low; very easy on cutting edges.
Gluing Advice
Excellent; one of the easiest woods to glue.
Finishing
Superior; takes stains, oils, and varnishes with ease. Grain filler is needed for a mirror glass surface.
Steam Bending
Good; responds well to steam bending.
Historical Context
Mahogany defined the golden age of furniture making (the Age of Mahogany) in the 1700s. It was essential to the British Empire’s shipbuilding efforts and later became the signature wood of the Chippendale and Sheraton styles. Its history is inextricably linked to colonial trade routes.
Technical Specs
CITES Appendix II (Strictly Regulated). IUCN: Vulnerable due to historic overharvesting.