About Fijian Mahogany: 

Scientific Name:

Swietenia macrophylla King Family: Meliaceae (Big Leaf Mahogany)

SUGGESTED USES 

Mahogany is suitable for a wide range of end uses in the seasoned condition, with its good working characteristics and attractive appearance. The timber is suitable for all manner of dressed lines including mouldings, panelling and general joinery work. It should become well accepted for local furniture manufacture and possibly boat planking and decking. Other uses, depending on grade, include carving, light handles, drawing boards, light construction, cases, etc.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 

Heartwood is pinkish to pale brown, with reddish-brown streaks, becoming darker and more uniform on exposure to light. The sapwood band, about 40 mm in width, is light pink to yellow brown. Texture is intermediate and the grain wavy to interlocked. Air dry density is 570kg/m3. Shrinkage is low.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES: 

Strength group S6 (green), SD7 (seasoned).

SEASONING: 

Mahogany in thicknesses up to 50 mm can be kiln-dried from the green condition under a wide range ·of drying conditions without difficulty. For Decking, we recommend seasonal drying for New Zealand.

DURABILITY: 

The weight is 650kg/m3 Natural Durability Class 2 – above ground applications.

Mahogany Background: 

In the 1960s the Fijian government developed (Swietenia Macrophylla) Mahogany plantations that has now grown to 40000 hectares, making it amongst the most extensive Mahogany plantations in the world.

Originally the seeds were imported from Central America, Fijian Mahogany is Similar in size and density to its South American relative but its distinguishing feature is its light appearance. 

Fijian Mahogany is safe from the pests and diseases that have destroyed most plantations overseas; it is also excluded from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), unlike genuine Mahogany from South and Central America.