Timber Species: Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera)

Physical Properties

Dry Density:  950 kg/m³

Janka Hardness: 12 kN

These properties are only a guide, as timber is a natural product there will be variations within any species. The Janka Dry Hardness rating measures the hardness of the wood. The higher the number the harder the wood.

Description of Species Red Mahogany

Incredibly dense, red mahogany is a distinctive eucalyptus varietal found in eastern Australia, ranging in the north to around Gladstone, Queensland to as far south as Jervis Bay. Red mahogany thrives in medium-to-high-fertility soils and grows to between 20 and 30 meters tall, though it’s not unheard of for a particularly robust red mahogany tree to top out at 45 meters in some instances.

Hardwood Timber Species used in Timber Flooring: Red Mahogany

While it has wildlife value as food for marsupial mammals like koala, red mahogany is also prized as a building and construction material thanks to its durability and its attractive coloration. It’s been used traditionally to construct railroad ties, it’s prevalent in boat building, and is a popular choice for cladding and paneling; it’s also an excellent source of charcoal as well.

Red mahogany has been exported to plantations around the world, mostly to moderate temperate and subtropical zones with plenty of moisture. Red mahogany plantations exist in Hawaii, Italy and Portugal, and in regions of Africa like Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

With a Janka hardness of 12, a density of 950 kg/m³, and distinctive pale to deep red coloration, red mahogany is excellent for solid timber flooring and is often used as an alternative to jarrah timber, as it’s more abundant but with a similar hardness and texture.

Australian Hardwood Timber Species | Spotted Gum