Evaluation of the wood quality and utilization potential of plantation grown Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany)

Abstract

Thirty-eight 32-year-old plantation-grown Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany) trees were harvested from two sites near Darwin, Northern Territory, for a processing, wood quality and utilisation study. The trees were transported to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries research mill in Brisbane, Queensland. The logs were sawn into boards of various dimensions with an overall 'green-off-saw' recovery of 39.5%. The timber was seasoned, dressed and graded strictly in accordance with AS2796, achieving graded recoveries (expressed as a % of log volume) ranging between 8.1% to 9.7% for product category 'Joinery', and 24.4% to 29% for product category 'Flooring'. Poor log form and the release of growth stresses were two significant factors that reduced recovery. The trees produced a good quality attractive timber that was equal to or better than the native African mahogany timber currently being imported into Australia, in terms of wood properties. Pith to bark basic density was relatively even, with an overall average of 636 kg/m3. The material achieved an estimated strength grouping of (SD6) and unit shrinkage of 0.26 and 0.28% in the radial and tangential directions, respectively. The timber was highly regarded by various industry assessors who believed that there would be good prospects for such timber on the domestic market in the future.