Mango wood - hard, resistant, sensitive to sun and fungi

The large supply of mango wood furniture makes you think of forests full of mango trees. But the abundance of wood is due to the rapid growth of the trees and the fact that, once they reach maturity, mango production begins to decline, leading to their slaughter to replenish plantations. The large quantity of wood and the short processing time before it goes into production lead to an affordable price of furniture which has increased demand. This wood caught my attention because I have seen a few complaints about warping and finishing problems with mango furniture pieces. In trying to find the cause of these shortcomings, I learned some interesting things about the mango tree and mango wood, which I invite you to discover below.

National tree and fruit in South Asian countries

The mango tree originated in regions of South Asia, with India being the place where it has been cultivated for thousands of years for its great tasting fruit. In fact, in India the mango is considered the national fruit and in Bangladesh it is the national tree. Its cultivation has gradually spread to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand where new varieties have appeared. The qualities of the fruit and the development of trade have led to the expansion of its cultivation in the tropical regions of Africa and South America. The fruit is first described in Europe by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Many legends and myths are linked to the mango. In India, it is said that good fortune and family prosperity are increased by planting a mango in the backyard. In Hindu mythology, the mango is associated with the god of love, Kamadeva. He used the mango flower to inspire passion in the hearts of lovers. Some cultures consider mango the fruit of eternal love, with love between partners lasting forever if they eat from the same fruit.

Mangoes are now known as the tree that produces the largest fruit, having been recorded as such by the Guinness Book. In 2010, a mango from the Philippines was recorded weighing over 3.5 kilograms. There are over 1000 varieties of mangoes worldwide, each with distinct characteristics related to taste, colour and shape.

A very fast growing tree

Mango (Mangifera indica) is part of the Anacardiaceaelike pistachios. It is an evergreen tree, keeping its leaves permanently. It grows very fast, reaching maturity in 10-15 years. The mature tree begins to devote its resources to growth and accumulation of wood cells, the fruit being neglected. Production begins to decline and farmers replace them with younger, more productive plants. In the past, felled trees were burned. Later, the qualities of wood were discovered and it became an important resource for affordable furniture.

The mango tree can reach heights of up to 25-30 metres and diameters of 1-1.2 metres. The trunk is covered with smooth bark, ranging in colour from greyish to dark brown. The crown is round and rich, with elongated glossy green leaves. The flowers are small, fragrant and pale yellow. The fruit is large and oval with green, orange or reddish skin depending on maturity and species. The stone is yellow and juicy, very rich in nutrients. Inside is the large, flat, hard stone that protects the seed inside.

Good-looking wood, waterproof but sensitive to sun, insects and fungi

Mango belongs to the group of exotic species being similar to teak or cocobolo, but much more affordable. Being an evergreen species, the cross-section through the trunk does not highlight annual rings but possibly seasonal rings. The sapwood part is sometimes lighter in colour, but most of the time you cannot see the difference between sapwood and heartwood. The colour ranges from cream and very light brown to golden brown or reddish brown, sometimes with yellow or pinkish stripes.

Wood is sensitive to fungal attack and therefore often shows the phenomenon of suffocation (spalted wood), the same as beech wood or paltin. As a result, patterns of beige to black stripes appear on the surface of the wood. It is a defect that increases the quality of the wood, the one that shows this phenomenon as well as the one with crimped or twisted fibre being more expensive and more appreciated.

The grain is straight or twisted, and the texture is medium to coarse with a natural sheen. Pores are large, diffuse, solitary or in radially arranged groups. Medullary rays are visible. The wood is odourless and dust from processing may cause irritation to sensitive skin. It does not need a long drying and treatment period, sometimes being processed immediately after cutting.

Mango wood has an anhydrous density of 675 kg/m³ and Janka hardness 4780 N, being similar to ash or black cherry wood. It is resistant to moisture, but susceptible to insect and fungal attack. It is also very sensitive to sunlight, losing water very quickly when directly under the sun. As a result, cracks, warping and even splitting of the wood can occur.

It is easy to process, but the high content of silicon oxides (quartz, sand) can lead to rapid deterioration of machine blades. Turns and carves easily, glues and finishes smoothly. Oil or wax is recommended for finishing because it keeps water inside better. Finishing with solvent-based products can speed up the dehydration process.

Uses of mango wood

Mango wood is processed mainly in the areas where it comes from because it takes advantage of the low price. Transporting it to other areas increases the price. Wood is used to make furniture - tables, chairs, beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers - floors, musical instruments, kitchen accessories, decorations, handicrafts. It can also be used for garden furniture, but it needs to be well protected from the sun and the attack of insects and fungi. For such furniture to have a long life, it needs to be well looked after and oiled or waxed at least once a year.

It is used for various types of panels, plywood and veneer, doors and windows. However, most sources do not recommend it for use in construction. Tannin is extracted from the wood and used to process natural leather.

On the Romanian market, mango wood is most often found in the form of furniture. The medium to coarse texture makes it very suitable for rustic or rustic industrial style. This is how we find most of the furniture, the mechanical workmanship being appropriate to the style. The sensitivity to fungus and tannin content often makes the wood look stained.

Mangoes are grown primarily for their fruit, which is universally appreciated for its taste and qualities. Studies show that mango production has doubled worldwide in the last 30 years. The fruit is a bonus given to us by the plant, after years of giving us the fruit. Farmers eager to get rid of old trees as quickly as possible, with little or no fruit, sell the wood quickly and cheaply. And so we can buy the furniture we want at a very good price (sometimes).

I hope you find the above information useful. As usual, additions are welcome. And if you have any questions or queries, please leave them in the space below. I'm sure I'll reply.