Mahogany

Mahogany wood is highly prized for its durability, attractive reddish-brown color, and resistance to decay. It is known for its fine grain, which makes it suitable for high-quality furniture, musical instruments, and boat building.

Big-leaf mahogany grows fruit called “sky-fruit.” This is because of the orientation of capsules toward the sky. The root system of the mahogany is very strong so it stabilizes the soil and prevents erosion.

Some health benefits of Mahonay include having astringent, antipyretic, abortifacient, and depurative properties. Studies have suggested anticoagulant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, cytotoxic, gastroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties.

Mahogany was introduced to the Philippines from unknown origins in 1907 as park trees in Manila.

The mahogany tree yields a highly prized reddish-brown wood because of its fine texture and beautiful color. Because of its fast growth, it is much desired in Manila as a shade tree. In India, wood is a popular material for making furniture, musical instruments, boats, and caskets.

Mahogany has a strong root system which stabilizes the soil and prevents erosion.

The use of mahogany to restore forests has long been frowned upon, as research shows this non-native species is invasive. While not all non-native species are harmful, mahogany has an allelopathic effect on the environment, meaning it produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of surrounding vegetation.