Agroforestree Database

Local names:
 Bengali (mahagni), Creole (kajou peyi), Dutch (mahok), English (West Indian mahogany,Cuban mahogany tree,Dominican mahogany,Jamaican mahogany tree,Spanish mahogany tree,West Indies mahogany,mahogany,Puerto Rico mahogany tree,small leaf mahogany), French

Swietenia mahagoni is a tall tree, up to 30 m high, with a short, buttressing base, up to 1 m in diameter and a large, spherical crown, many heavy branches and dense shade. The bark is smooth grey on young trees, turning to scaly dark reddish-brown on large trees. The tree is deciduous in areas where it is subject to drought. 

Leaves even, pinnate, 10-18 cm long, and bearing 4-10 pairs of leaflets that are shiny, dark green, lance-shaped, 2.5-5 cm long by 0.7-2 cm broad. 

Flowers greenish-yellow, 6-8 mm across, in axillary panicles; panicles glabrous, shorter than the leaves. 

The light brown seed capsule stands upright, about 6-10 cm long by 4-5 cm diameter, with 5 valves splitting upward from the base. Each valve releases about 20 flat, brown, winged seeds, 4-6 cm long.

Swietenia commemorates Gerard von Swieten (1700-1772), botanist and physician to Maria Theresa of Austria.

Ecology

In its original habitat, the climate is warm and equable, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 32 deg. C; rainfall varies from 1250 to 2500 mm, coming mostly in summer but spreading almost through the whole year. Best developments have been observed in areas receiving lower rainfall of 1000-1500 mm, in localities not far from the sea, and at elevations near sea level.

Native range
Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, United States of America

Tree management

The seedlings of S. mahagoni require light; if they are deprived of overhead light they are damaged by insects. They do not develop if the overhead shade is too dense; best results are obtained by irregularly interrupted cover.

Without any special treatment, seeds lose much of their viability in 3 months and almost entirely in 6 months. Dried in the sun and sealed in airtight containers, they remain fairly viable for over 6 months. The seeds were provisionally classified as recalcitrant because of widespread reports of their short life span, but to the contrary, their viability can be maintained in hermetic air-dry storage at room temperature for 1 year. There are 3350-3500 seeds/kg.

In its original habitat, the climate is warm and equable, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 32 deg. C; rainfall varies from 1250 to 2500 mm, coming mostly in summer but spreading almost through the whole year. Best developments have been observed in areas receiving lower rainfall of 1000-1500 mm, in localities not far from the sea, and at elevations near sea level.

The fruit is preferably collected from the trees just before it splits open or from the ground immediately after it falls. The species is generally propagated from seed for mass production of seedlings in containerized systems, such as Winstrip and Rootrainer. As seed viability is short under ambient conditions, seeds are sown shortly after harvest. Seed preparation involves breaking the seed wing to facilitate germination. In Java and Haiti, where abundant natural regeneration is found under trees and in the vicinity of almost all the older plantations, most farmers use wildlings for planting material.

In Haiti, much of the branch wood and most of the crooked stems are converted to charcoal, particularly in regions isolated from urban markets by poor roads.

Timber:  S. mahagoni was the original mahogany in commercial trade and was exported from Hispaniola in the 16th century. The heartwood is highly resistant to decay and insect attack, performing better than all other mahoganies on the world market. It is noted for its low and uniform shrinkage and its ability to hold shape much better than other woods of similar densities. The wood works well and finishes to an exceptionally smooth, lustrous surface. The wood is therefore the choice for high-quality furniture and cabinetwork, joinery, boats and pattern work. Wood carvers use a significant amount of the wood in turnery and sculpture.

Shade or shelter:  Farmers generally plant the species along garden boundaries or around the courtyard, where it provides deep shade. 

Medicine:  S. mahagoni is a medicinal plant throughout the Caribbean. The bark is considered an astringent and is taken orally as a decoction for diarrhoea, as a source of vitamins and iron, and as a medicine to induce haemorrhage. When the bark is steeped to a red liquid, it is taken to clear blood, increase appetite, and restore strength in cases of tuberculosis.

Ornamental: S. mahagoni has thrived as an ornamental tree in various parts of India.