What is Cuban Mahogany? It is West Indies Mahogany - Swietenia Mahogani . Cuba is the central part of the West Indies and so it is called Cuban Mahogany, but it does not mean it is imported from Cuba. In fact, it is illegal to import this species from Cuba, Dominica, or Haiti because it is a threatened species. The northernmost end of its range is here in Key Largo. You will not find much of this tree north of Miami or maybe Palm Beach. Sometimes we call this wood native mahogany, Caribbean, or Key Largo Mahogany.

It is much the same way as with "Honduras Mahogany"  which may come from Panama, Chile, or Brazil. It is still called Honduran Mahogany, genuine mahogany, or big leaf mahogany. - Swietenia macrophylla.

How do we get Cuban Mahogany?  These trees are either storm or hurricane downed, or permitted land clearing for development after which they are replaced 3 for 1 by the permit holder. Sometimes the county biologist will allow a nusance tree to be cut down or trimmed when it has grown too large and begins to damage a structure.

Some times it is hard for us in Key Largo to see this species as endangered since we have them coming up like weeds in our yards. They drop large seed pods on our roofs and our cars and the leaves fall in the dry season causing many homeowners some distress. So regardless of how the homeowner does not like the tree, we do not buy standing timber and we do not take them down (no license or insurance). However, we will haul off any decent sized legally downed logs. Most homeowners are glad to save the dump fees and see the wood get used. Sometimes we give back some of the wood or labor as trade.

What sizes of lumber are available? Since many of these are yard trees they do not grow straight up to reach the forest canopy but instead branch out at low levels. It is rare to get more than 8 feet of trunk. After that, the larger branches will yield some but this branch stock is often shaped with curves. So, the point is, you are not going to see any 2 x 8 x 10 feet or other such dimensional lumber as you find at a construction lumber yard. The pieces come off the logs in many sizes and we cut several different thicknesses. Every piece is different, and it is not likely that we would have any 10 whole pieces of the same size. We can make cuts from larger stock all the same size. For example, 10 pieces - 3/4 x 2.5 x 36 is possible, but 10 pieces 3/4 x 10 x 72 would not be possible. The best way to find out what is available is to send an email with your project's cut list and we will quote it if possible.

What is it like? It is a nice easy hard wood to work with. It is hard and durable with a wavy interlocking grain. Sometimes with figuring, character knots, and or ribbon and quilting effects, but usually it is plain flat sawn. It turns and finishes well and it weathers to a nice silver gray similar to Teak.

I find it suitable for signs, picture frames, small and short trim on furniture and boat projects, such as end tables, coffee tables, carvings, bowls and craft projects. Most of it has the live edge sapwood on it. Some of edges are spoiled, some are spalted, and some are intact, and some have just one edge ripped straight.

What color is it? It starts out fresh cut almost a light pink color, then it gets an orange color to it for a few months which gradually darkens to a rich cherry color in a year or so and continues to darken so that in 10 years or so the wood is almost a dark purple. It seems to change color regardless of the finish you put on it. The finishing materials and exposure to ultraviolet light speed up the color change.

Pricing is according to the quality and size of the piece. Longer and wider and thicker costs more than shorter, narrower, and thinner pieces. A few exceptional boards would be at $20.00 BF. Most of it is $15.00 BF, short and narrow pieces could be $12.00 BF.

Note that this wood is not suitable for construction projects or very dimensional requirements. Most every piece is a different size.

Please email the approximate size board you seek and your ZIP Code, and we will reply with a quote.

For best results please tell the exact finished size; we will look for a board big enough to make that size.

This is not perfect wood; the boards have some natural character.

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