Royal Mahogany
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Wood Species
Royal Mahogany
Biological name
Pithecellobium, arboreum
Originates from or commonly found in
Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, West Indies, Cuba, Trinidad, Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
Physical appearance
The Royal Mahogany tree is often 80-100 feet in height with diameters reaching between 2-3 feet, with the maximum height being around 170 feet high and a diameter of 6 feet. The unfolding leaves are reddish purple at first giving way to yellowish green. Mahogany produces small, fragrant, rather inconspicuous flowers. The seeds are winged with papery vanes. The sapwood is pinkish, turning pale brown or grayish. The reddish-brown heartwood varies in shade from medium to dark.
Flooring Properties
Royal Mahogany is unique and popular import because of its shared characteristics to Honduran Mahogany and superior hardness. Its color is brown to reddish brown, and more uniform than Honduran Mahogany. The wood has a fine to coarse texture and a dull luster. The graining is straight and sometimes rowed. The wood can be worked with hand and machine tools and glues and screws well. Royal Mahogany sometimes splits when nailed, so pre-boring is recommended. With aging, Royal Mahogany will darken to a deeper, richer brown.
Janka Rating
Royal Mahogany has hardness rating of 1400.
