Mango Wood Facts

Mango Fruit

Mango wood is the hardwood timber cultivated from the mango fruit tree (Mangifera indica). Native to the Indian subcontinent but also grown the world over in any place where the climate is frost free, notably in India, much of East Asia, Brazil and Mexico, the mango tree is grown primarily as a fruit bearing tree.

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 wood is a hard, dense timber, although is far lighter than most other hardwoods such as teak or oak. Its beautiful grain is often made up of many different colours and tones, ranging from a dark or light green through browns and light tan colours. This stunning grain looks lovely in its natural form but looks even better with a coat or two of beeswax polish and provides a look that betters with age.

The wood, though strong, is easy to cut and shape and as such, it lends itself beautifully to carving or turning as this allows the full range of colours to show through on the surface of the piece. The fantastic grain of the wood also looks beautiful crafted into large flat panels such as those used in more modern cube style furniture, especially larger pieces such as dining tables, bookcases or sideboards.

Is Mango Wood a Sustainable Product?

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.

The fair-trade mango furniture pieces and decorative items found in much of the western world are mainly produced in India by highly skilled, traditional craftsmen before being exported to other countries. As the cost of living in India is far lower than that of the western world, coupled with the fact that the mango wood is recycled from what is essentially a waste product, means that mango wood furniture is a very affordable alternative to many more common hardwoods and provides a good income for the skilled farmers and craftsmen that create it.

Natural Beeswax Polish

Solid hardwood furniture should receive regular treatment with a quality finishing product at least three to four times a year. We recommend you use a natural creamed beeswax polish to keep your Mango wood looking its best. Not only does beesax produce a deep lustrous shine but it is also a low odour, clean smelling polish so will not fill your home with nasty chemical smells like other products.

Applying beeswax polish is not difficult:

• Using a clean, soft cloth, apply the natural beeswax polish directly from the jar.
• Apply sparingly, always applying with the grain (in the same direction as the grain) and try to achieve a thin, even coat across the whole surface of the wood. Cover small areas at a time rather than trying to coat the whole piece in a single application.
• Creamed beeswax polish should not “clump” like a paste. If you find your polish is a little thick, or are using a paste type polish, simply keep rubbing your cloth over the surface until the coating is thin and even.
• Take a fresh, clean, soft cloth and begin buffing the surface lightly, again working with the grain. Buff the piece until you achieve the degree of shine required. Beeswax produces a fantastic deep rich sheen when correctly buffed.
• Stand back and admire your furniture knowing it is protected for months to come and is one step closer to becoming a treasured heriloom.

Natural Bees wax polish can be easily obtained from good hardware stores, many large supermarkets or ordered online from Amazon.co.uk.

Before you make the decision to furnish your home with quality hardwood furniture, it is essential to be mindful of the various characteristics of solid hardwood products.

As hardwoods are a natural material, many small defects may be noticeable in your furniture. This only adds to the charm and individuality of the piece, ensuring that no two items are ever identical. Every single piece of solid wood furniture is a unique piece and this is the main reason why many people choose to buy solid wood over veneered man-made boards.

In its natural environment, hardwood trees expand and contract due to changes in moisture levels. This is an inherent characteristic of the living tree as they absorb the water used in photosynthesis to allow the growth of the plant. It may be surprising to discover that even once the tree has been felled, sawn and crafted into a stylish piece of furniture, the process of expansion and contraction continues as the cell structure of the wood adjusts to the variations in moisture.

Before being crafted into the items you will use to furnish your home, the hardwood is usually kiln-dried to a moisture level of around 16%. This level is a good average moisture level to dissuade the wood from further expansion in most homes, however, the moisture level in all but the most climatically-controlled homes can be susceptible to change and therefore the furniture in the home will continue to expand and contract. This is the same process that causes floorboards to creak at night for no apparent reason.

There are many ways furniture manufacturers choose to relieve or fight against this expansion: Regular protection from the elements with a natural product such as Beeswax or Danish Oil helps to prevent the drying and splitting of hardwoods in varying humidity. Solidly constructed joints such as dovetail or mortice and tenon joints not only hold the wood together firmly but also allow for the natural movement of the wood.

No other furniture compares to solid hardwood furniture for its charm, beauty or solidity. Provided your furniture is well looked after, it will in most cases last a lifetime and will even provide joy to future generations as a much loved heirloom.

Well cared-for furniture will last a lifetime and will look fantastic all year round. We recommend the following tips to keep your home furnishings looking at their best:

• Reapply the recommended top-coat, whether it be Danish oil or Natural Beeswax once every 3-4 months. These coatings help to protect the wood from the drying effects of the air and also help avoid scratches and marks. Both are available from all good hardware stores and even from some supermarkets.
• Don’t be tempted to use a regular furniture polish on solid wood furniture. These can dry out the wood and leave the surface looking patchy or susceptible to marks. Simply dust or wipe with a lightly dampened cloth.
• Ensure your furniture is not exposed to moisture for any prolonged period. Moisture causes the wood grain to swell and can leave unsightly marks and stains. Swollen timbers can also lead to doors and drawers sticking.