Color/Appearance : Heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Colors darken with age. Quartersawn surfaces exhibit a ribbon-stripe appearance.

Grain/Texture : Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to coarse texture. Good natural luster and a high degree of chatoyancy.

Rot Resistance : Rated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistance.

Workability : Generally easy to work, though tearout can be a problem if the grain is interlocked. May stain and react with iron-based fasteners in damp conditions. Glues, turns, and finishes well.

Odor : No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity : Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, African mahogany has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability : Available in a variety of lumber sizes, as well as plywood and veneer. Prices are moderate for an imported hardwood.

Sustainability : African mahogany is listed in CITES Appendix II under the genus-wide restriction of all Khaya species from Africa. Additionally, all the primary Khaya species of African mahogany are on the IUCN Red List. They are each listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.

Common Uses : Veneer, plywood, turned items, furniture, boatbuilding, and interior trim.

Comments : There are currently five accepted Khaya species, four of which are harvested and sold as African mahogany. The fifth species, K. madagascariensis, is native to Comoros and northern Madagascar and yields mahogany-like wood, but isn’t commonly exported.