- Design Inspo
What Exactly is Mango Wood?
Roxanne Robinson
Once India was reached by sea for the first time from Europe by Vasco de Gama, this led to the establishment of Portuguese water trade routes. The mango tree sprang up in the Philippines, Brazil, and Africa in Morocco. As it only requires a frost-free tropical or subtropical locale, it’s also grown in the West Indies, Caribbean, Brazil, Mexico, and even the Southernmost points of the United States. India, the largest producer of the fruit – though far from the most significant exporter as the country consumes its crop – claims the mango as its national fruit. Similarly, the Philippines and Pakistan also claim the mango as the national fruit, while Bangladesh calls the mango tree its national tree.
Furthermore, this second life cycle creates additional income for mango tree farms. When a tree stops bearing fruit or gets too tall to harvest fruit quickly, it formerly would have been burnt or left to decompose naturally but harvesting provides extra income while providing an affordable and easy to work with the material.
It can be treated to resemble classic grain rivals including oak, maple, and teak. Additionally, mango wood hardness measures 1,070 pounds per foot on the Janka hardness scale, putting it in the range of mahogany and oak.
In particular, mango hardwood consists of a very dense grain that is durable, strong, and easy on woodworking tools. (It’s important to note one drawback of the wood is its potential allergens for some and can cause skin irritation while working with it if proper precautions aren’t taken.) It can be cut and re-shaped into any form a woodworker wishes, something not possible with other hardwoods.
Another benefit to using this wood for furniture is that its heartwood does not require considerable processing, seasoning, and drying. It’s sent to final processing shortly after being felled into construction material or furniture to be used immediately, allowing for a quicker and less-costly production into finished goods.
Once finished, mango wood needs a monthly polish and hydration to avoid cracks. But it is naturally water-resistant, so don’t be afraid to leave the furniture outside during warm months. Mango wood is prone to getting sun-bleached if left in extreme sunlight, so take care to cover it.
