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Fijian Mahogany Decking
Genuine Fijian Mahogany is Sustainable, Non-Endangered Timber with Straight, Tightly Woven Grain
Fijian Mahogany (Swietenia Macrophylla), also known as Honduran Mahogany, big-leaf Mahogany , or West Indian Mahogany, is a Brazilian timber that is grown sustainably at plantations on the tropical island of Fiji. It is a beautiful and dense hardwood with a close, straight grain. Its tightly woven grain makes it highly resistant to splintering and is also exceptionally resistant to moisture, decay, and insect infestation.
Fijian mahogany is one of the softer hardwoods, making it easier to work than Ipe, but more durable than traditional softwood species such as cedar or redwood. Mahogany, like redwood, is also a “clear” product, meaning that there are no knots in the wood, giving it a smooth, polished look.
Mahogany was first introduced to Fiji in 1911 as an ornamental species using seeds from the former Mosquito Coast region (now Belize, Honduras, and Nicaragua). Fijian Mahogany plantations were planted to utilize what was deemed at the time “unused land,” such as natural forest and grasslands.
The Fijian Forestry department was first formed during the early 1930s. Logging started for mature trees in 2003, and replanting of logged areas commenced in the 2010s. Fiji is currently the only source country for Genuine (Swietenia Macrophylla) Mahogany with mature trees.
Genuine Fijian Mahogany has an average lifespan of 20-plus years. Of course, the lifespan of the wood you use depends on many factors. The climate and amount of precipitation in your area can shorten or extend a product’s lifespan. So, it is not unheard of for Mahogany to last longer than 30 years.