American Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is also known as genuine mahogany and is native to Central America and tropical South America.
The tree is initially evergreen, only shedding its leaves later in life. It can reach heights of up to 70m, with trunk diameters of up to 3.5m.
Genuine mahogany is relatively lightweight yet strong and extremely durable. It exhibits minimal warping and shrinkage and has excellent stability. Cracking rarely occurs during the drying process.
Furthermore, it possesses outstanding properties as a tonewood and is frequently used in furniture making (solid wood or veneer) and woodturning.
It is highly resistant to fungi and insects.
The sapwood is grey-brown to grey-yellow but has only a narrow width, contrasting sharply with the reddish-brown to light-brown heartwood. Numerous "medullary rays" (spiegel) can be seen in longitudinal sections.
Swietenia macrophylla is the species of greatest economic importance due to its wide distribution. However, several other species are traded, such as Khaya (Khaya spp.; African mahogany), Sipo (Entandrophragma utile), Kosipo (Entandrophragma candollei), Sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum), and Tiama (Entandrophragma angolense). Strictly speaking, these are not genuine mahogany, but substitutes.
Since its visual appearance only fully emerges after treatment with varnish, oil, and/or wax, careful attention should be paid to the finishing process.
Due to high demand, supply shortages are common. Additionally, it is a slow-growing tree, which has led to many stands being completely depleted.
In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (1998), genuine mahogany was assessed as "vulnerable." Trade in American mahogany is restricted by the CITES agreement (Washington Convention). Importation requires a permit from the relevant national authorities (e.g., Federal Agency for Nature Conservation).