What Is Mango Wood?

Many people have never heard of mango wood, knowing only of the fruit of the same tree (Mangifera indica). This magnificent species of tree is native to India but over the years has been exported all over the world and is now cultivated on all continents. Preferring a warm climate which is free from frost, the tree is most notably grown in Asia and South America, mainly for its fruit.

The mango tree is an extremely large, long-lived species which can grow as tall as 100 feet in height and 5 feet in diameter. Like most hardwood trees native to tropical climates it is an evergreen tree with leaves which change from red to green and small white flowers. The fruit is consumed all over the world and is a very common ingredient in Indian and East-Asian cuisine.

While mango trees are an extremely long-lived species, as the tree ages it will eventually stop producing fruit. Once a tree reaches this stage, it is cut down and replanted and the trunk is used for beautiful mango wood timber. In its native India, the timber is commonly crafted into furniture, culinary equipment, vases, bowls and decorative carvings and is becoming more and more popular in Western countries.

Mango timber is a relatively hard, dense timber but is deceptively light. It has a wondrous close grain which varies in colour within each tree, changing from a light tan colour all the way through green and grey hues to a mid to dark brown. It is this stunning grin which makes mango wood desirable for furniture and provides a charming rustic look to any home.

Mango wood is especially notable for its use in both rustically styled and more modern furniture and carvings as it is a lot easier to cut than tougher hardwoods such as mahogany or teak and looks especially beautiful when used for turnings or in large flat panels which allow the full range of colours present in the grain to show through.

Mango wood timber products are one of the most sustainable timber products on the planet, being made from what is essentially a waste by-product of the massive mango fruit industry in Asia. As the trees are continually being cut down to create space for younger trees which will produce more fruit, it would be a shame to waste such a valuable and decorative commodity hence the mango farmers sell on the timber to subsidise their livelihood.

Ensure when purchasing mango wood furniture for your home that the items you are buying are fair-trade. This means that the farmers who grow the timber and the traditional, highly skilled craftsmen who manufacture all of this delightful furniture by hand are paid a good price for their produce. As the cost of living in the countries that produce the furniture is substantially lower than in western countries, the benefits work both ways. You get a stunning piece of furniture for a very affordable price while the skilled workers who produce it earn a good living.

If you enjoyed reading this articles, and would like to read more more please visit Mango Wood Furniture. This article is written by James Rockford, who has a passion for furniture and writes regularly for sites such as Oak Sideboard amongst others.