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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Khaya anthotheca Trade Name African mahogany Family Name Meliaceae Synonyms Khaya agboensis, Khaya euryphylla, Khaya mildbraedii, Khaya wildemannii Common Names Acajou blanc, Acajou d'Afrique, Acajou krala, Acajou mangora, African mahogany, Ahafo, Ahafo mahogany, Ahafo timber, Akwantannuro, Anthotheca, Arwabotioro, Benin mahogany, Benin wood, Bie-eh-nasa, Diala, Dubini, Dukuma fufu, Dukuma-fufu, Funfun, Ghana mahogany, Grand Bassam mahogany, Heavy African mahogany, Ivory Coast mahogany, Khaya, Khaya mahogany, Kirumbo, Krala, Kruba, Krumben, Kwabaho, Kwabohori, Kwabohoro, Kwantannuro, Lagos wood, Lpaki, Lra, Mangona, Mpohe, Munyama, Ngollon, Nigerian mahogany, Odupon, Ogigedu, Ogwango, Ogwango nofuwa, Red mahogany, Smooth barked African mahogany, Uganda mahogany, White mahogany Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments, Paneling , Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Sporting Goods, Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Endangered Secure in many areas of its range Little threat to its survival, at least in the immediate future Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The species occurs in lowland evergreen forest. Heartwood Color Red Brown Yellow Orange Pink Purple Pale red to pink Reddish brown Turn reddish brown upon exposure Pink Pale brown Brown It usually lacks the yellowish-brown color that is common in the paler shades of American mahogany (Swietenia). Sapwood Color Yellow White Very fine Distinct (figure) White to yellow Pinkish Paler than heartwood Well defined Color not distinct from heartwood It is usually about 2 inches (5 cm) wide and is not always clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Interlocked Straight Wavy Even Very fine Closed Stripe (figure) Roey (figure) Interlocked Distinct figure Straight Wavy Striped figure Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct Roey figure Some logs produce attractively figured timber highly suitable for decorative applications. Texture Coarse Medium Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Medium Medium coarse to coarse Fine Variable Fine to medium Luster Medium Low Natural luster Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is rare or absent. When present, it is sparse in amount Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to termites Durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Moderately durable Perishable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Non durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Sapwood is vulnerable to attack by furniture beetles Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Heartwood susceptible to termite attack Heartwood moderately resistant to decay Durable Standing trees and logs are also vulnerable to attack by forest longhorn or Buprestid beetles. Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Dermatitic effects Sawdust from machining operations can cause skin irritation in some individuals Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying Defects Splitting Checking Distortion Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting No end splitting Tension wood, which is sometimes present, may cause the timber to distort severely during drying. Shrinkage is relatively small in wood without tension wood. Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Moderately Difficult to Difficult Variable Rapidly Slowly Easy Variable results. Seasons rapidly with little degrade Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries slowly Slow Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Drying rate is slow Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 50-60 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Bole length is 30-40 m Tree height is greater than 70 m Tree height is 60-70 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm Relatively well-formed boles over buttresses that may be 9 feet (2.7 m) high Product Sources This species is usually marketed together with other very similar Khaya species as African mahogany. They are readily available in a wide range of sizes at a moderate price. The material is also obtainable in the form of plywood from many suppliers. About 18500 cubic feet (500 cubic met.) per week supply of Khaya anthotheca is available from sustainably managed sources in Africa. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Crabwood (Carapa guianensis) is similar in appearance and is nearly as tough. Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) has superiod strength properties. African canarium (Canarium schweinfurthii) is extremely similar in appearance once it is stained. Comments Abnormal Growth Defects - Brittleheart is present in some logs, producing compression failures in the form of thunder shakes, cross-breaks, heart-breaks, etc. The defect is more prevalent in figured logs. Logs may also contain abnormal wood tissue in the form of tension wood. African mahogany is described as a timber with medium density and a pleasing appearance. It has good machining qualities and high dimensional stability, and is highly favored in the furniture industry for a wide variety of applications. It is also used for boat building, and is suitable for almost all parts of boats. The timber is suitable for almost all applications where a good quality, medium weight hardwood is required. General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Moderate effect Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fairly difficult to very difficult Fair to good results Easy Boring, turning, mortising, and other machining operations are reported to vary, but are generally satisfactory, except in woolly material and those containing interlocked grain. Carving Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Moderate to saw Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cross-Cutting and narrow bandsawing are satisfactory Gluing Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finishes satisfactorily Difficult to mortise Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Difficult to mould Square block is reported to produce considerable tearing, and French head is not recommended for wooly material. Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Shows only small movement after manufacture Dimensionally stable after seasoning Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to nail Satisfactory nailing properties Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planes well, to a good finish Planes to a satisfactory finish Easy to plane Material containing interlocked grain requires a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees to prevent tearing. Machining properties are reported to vary, and is mainly dependent upon wooliness and interlocked grain. Sharp thin-edged cutters are recommended for best results. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is highly resistant Heartwood is resistant The sapwood responds fairly well to treatment. Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Variable qualities The wood works well with hand tools, but requires sharp cutting edges, especially if material is wooly Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Screwing Pre-boring recommended Easy to screw Turning Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Difficult to veneer Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Good gluing qualities Steam Bending Very poor Severe buckling and fiber rupturing are common Poor Material from East Africa responds moderately well to steam bending, but the timber performs generally very poorly in steam bending operations Polishing Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Surface Preparation Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Excellent results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Surface Preparation Poor results Stains well Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = very small Max. crushing strength = low Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Medium weight and density Hardness = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very high Comparable to Teak. It is lower in compression strength and maximum crushing strength than teak. It resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8120 12265 psi Density 32 lbs/ft3 Hardness 918 lbs Impact Strength 25 24 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3712 6185 psi Shearing Strength 1693 psi Stiffness 1162 1377 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 7 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.4 Weight 32 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 570 862 kg/cm2 Density 512 kg/m3 Hardness 416 kg Impact Strength 63 60 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 260 434 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 119 kg/cm2 Stiffness 81 96 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.56 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.4 Weight 512 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Bhat, R.V.,1970,Pulping of Tropical Hardwoods,Indian Pulp and Paper Technology Association IPPTA,7(3,pp203-214 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1979,Acajou D'Afrique (Khaya spp.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,183,pp33-48 Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Eggeling, W.J., Harris, C.M.,1939,Fifteen Uganda Timbers,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 4 Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. 1994. A Guide to Useful Wood of the World. Arno, J., Flynn Jr., J.H., and Kline, M., Contributors. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 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Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Greenway, P.J.,1947,Mahogany in East Africa 1 The Khayas,East African Agricultural Journal,13,pp8-14,[East African Agricultural,and Forestry Journal] Hedin, L.,1930,Commercial Mahoganies of French Cameroons,Tropical Woods,3(21,pp1-5 Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. Prepared for International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France. Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 Lavers, G.M. 1967. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50 (Spersedes Bulletin No. 45). Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Normand, D., Sallenave, P.,1958,Characteristiques et Proprietes des Acajous,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,59,pp43-52 Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23 Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Rio Rivuma. 1995. Khaya anthotheca - Potential Commercial Species from the Zaire Basin System. Rio Rivuma, 229 A Street, Boston, MA. Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1957,Survey of Africa Woods 3,Tropical Woods 16(107) pp92-128 Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford Tack, C.H.,1953,Plywood and veneer species,Forest Department, Uganda. Technical Note 5/1953 Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda Tailfer, Y.,1972,Les Acajous de la Foret Dense Zairoise leur Identification Forestiere,Musee Royale de L'Afrique Centrale Sciences Econo Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Titmuss, F.H. 1965. Commercial Timbers of the World. 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London Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing: Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC, Plants Program, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.