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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


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

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
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength812012265psi
Density32lbs/ft3
Hardness918lbs
Impact Strength2524inches
Maximum Crushing Strength37126185psi
Shearing Strength1693psi
Stiffness116213771000 psi
Work to Maximum Load78inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.4
Weight3231lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength570862kg/cm2
Density512kg/m3
Hardness416kg
Impact Strength6360cm
Maximum Crushing Strength260434kg/cm2
Shearing Strength119kg/cm2
Stiffness81961000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.490.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.4
Weight512496kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

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.

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45

France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12

France - C.T.F.T.,1973,Investigations and Tests carried out on Tropical Timber by several,Research Laboratories,CTFT

France - C.T.F.T.,Recuil de Fiches Techniques,C.T.F.T.

France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. 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

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