The Mahagony wood has Unique Reputation in the International market due to its desirable characteristics such as attractive appearence,good dimensional stability,easy of workability,Excellent Finishing Quality. More than 200 species belonging to 35 families have been called as “Mahagony”.The Genuine Mahaganies are valuable tropical timber species that are of great Economic Importance to the economy of their native Countries. Further, plantations play an important role in economy of the nation and Improvement of livelihood of farmers in rural communities.
But Three types of Mahagony species are very much famous in India and World wide.
i.e. Swetinia Macrophylla,
Swetinia Mahagony,
Swetinia Humilis.
Kerala has the largest area of Mahagony plantations in India. Now a days, Farmers and tree growers are cultivating “Swetinia Mahagony” and “Swetinia Macrophylla” in the farm lands and forest lands in large scale in the form of block plantation,Agro forestry and Avenue plantation in Kerala, Tamilnadu,Karnataka and Maharastra due to its fast growth. Swetinia Macrophylla species are Suitable for raising Commercial plantations. Even now, it is the most preferred Timber in USA and UK. Now a days, it is very popular amoung farmer’s and plywood industries in India due to its fast growth, Strength, Long durability, weight less, Attractive colour,Short rotation and high price.
Mahagony trees are Usually grows 30-40m in height and 3-5 m in girth,but in very favourable localities it may attain a height up to 50-60m and 8-9m girth. The trunk is straight and cylindrical.
Here Intresting Fact is Cuban Mahagony (Swetinia Mahagony) looks similar to Honduran mahagony in all aspects,except size of leaf and fruit and branching pattern.
Environmental Conditions
Mahagony grows in a variety of soils and the best growth is found in deep,fertile soil on well drained slopes in regions where rainfall is abundant.
Temperature: 25 to 38℃(+2)
Annual Rain fall : 1000-2000mm
Sea level : 900-1300m
Uses of Wood :
Due to Qualities like medium density wood with reddish or pinkish colour, attractive appearance , easyily working with hand tools, excellent finishing ,high dimensional stability and Durability,polishes well and does not crack or bend.
Some other uses of mahagony wood is Plywood industries, Mahagony wood used as Flooring tiles,Framing,Cruise ships and boats,Musical instruments…etc. USA and UK are leading importers of mahagony wood.
Medicine Uses of Skyfruit(Mahagony seeds):
A number of phyto- Chemicals are present in leaf,seeds,Fruit and Bark of Mahagony. seeds are traditionally used for Diabetes,Malaria,High-blood pressure, Hypertension…etc. Now a days Seeds also used for treatment of Cancer,Chest pain.
