Where do most Mahogany trees grow?

Mahogany grows only in fairly specific climate zones, which includes the West Indies, particularly Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica, with small quantities of the same varieties occurring in the southern tip of Florida.

Why is the big leaf mahogany endangered?

There is a large demand for Mahogany wood products, which has perpetuated the clearing of many Amazonian forests. The deforestation was so intense that Big Leaf Mahogany is now listed as an endangered species.

Where does the Mahogany tree live?

Mahogany trees thrive in very warm climates. They are native to South Florida as well as the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The tree is also nicknamed “Cuban mahogany” and “West Indian mahogany”. They were introduced into Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands over two centuries ago.

Is big leaf mahogany endangered?

Vulnerable
Swietenia macrophylla/Conservation status

How much is a mahogany tree worth?

Mahogany wood retail pricing depends on species, quality and wood source. The lower end wood from the Philippines for example costs between $6 and $8 per board foot, while high end Honduras wood may range between $10 and $15 per board foot.

How many years does it take a mahogany tree to grow?

Thousands of mahogany trees that the family planted stand tall and sturdy, but it may take five to 10 more years before they mature, and another 30 years before they reach full commercial potential, Mario Jr.

Are there any mahogany trees left?

A big-leaf mahogany tree can grow up to 60 metres high and produces leaves up to 50cm long. The two other species in the genus Swietenia, the Caribbean mahogany and Honduras mahogany, are now regarded as commercially extinct from over-exploitation, leaving S. macrophylla as the remaining species of ‘genuine’ mahogany.

Why is the big-leaf mahogany tree important?

Because of its hard wood, big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is historically one of the most valuable species in the international timber trade. Its popularity and reputation for beauty and durability made trade in this wood soar worldwide – as sawn wood, plywood, veneer, and finished furniture products.

Does mahogany grow in the rainforest?

At heights reaching 200 feet, the big-leaf mahogany tree shoots through the top of the rainforest canopy. This majestic tree, which can live upward of 350 years, is an integral part of the rainforest ecosystem and is an important resource for local communities.

Does mahogany grow in Canada?

World’s oldest piece of mahogany is found in Canada and dates back almost 80MILLION years to when the dinosaurs roamed the planet. A piece of mahogany has been unearthed just off the coast of Vancouver Island in. The fossilised chunk of timber dates back to the end of the Cretaceous period roughly 80 million years ago.

Is mahogany wood still available?

Mahogany is still widely used for fine furniture; however, the rarity of Cuban mahogany, the over-harvesting of Honduras and Brazilian mahogany, and the protests by indigenous peoples and environmental organizations from the 1980s into the 2000s, have diminished their use.

Are mahogany trees fast growing?

Growing Mahogany… In its natural habitat, a Mahogany tree grows relatively fast much like most tropical trees – about 3 to 4 feet per year.

How tall does a mountain mahogany tree get?

Mountain Mahogany ( Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt.) The contorted shapes of older Cercocarpus trees dominate their habitat, which is unfriendly for most other tall plants: rocky, gravelly slopes in high mountain areas, with little water and plenty sun. Typically, the plant has 1 to 4 main trunks; the trunks are not often obscured by foliage.

What makes a mountain mahogany plant have a tail?

The seeds of this plant do appear to have tails: the stigma of the flower remains attached to the seed and hardens, forming a fuzzy “tail” which facilitates wind-assisted seed dispersal. The leaves are smallish and elongated, from 1/2 to 2 inches long, and often the edges of the leaf curl inward towards the midvein.

What kind of wood does Swietenia macrophylla make?

The species Swietenia macrophylla It is a high quality timber plant with high industrial and commercial potential. The reddish-brown-mahogany wood is firm, hard and heavy with fine grains and homogeneous veins.