MANGO WOOD
Mango trees are native to India, Myanmar and East Asia. Whilst the wood is most commonly cultivated in India, Mango wood is also farmed in Kenya and China.
Mango trees grow incredibly fast, taking roughly 10-15 years to reach full productivity. When they get older and taller, it can become trickier to harvest and they can become less productive fruit-wise. Once this happens, the trees are felled and new ones planted so that the Mango farmers can continue producing more fruit.
There are many benefits of using Mango wood for furniture:
Durability: Mango wood is a durable hardwood, meaning that it is perfect for creating bespoke furniture designs; it has a strength comparable to Ash and Oak. It doesn’t wear out quickly and ages beautifully, giving you peace of mind that your furniture will last for decades.
- Sustainability: Mango wood is highly sustainable due to its cultivation as a fruit tree. The trees grow to maturity relatively quickly for a hardwood, reaching maturity after about 15 years. At this point they begin to produce less fruit, or stop altogether. As Mango farmers plant new trees every 7 to 15 years, before the older trees become barren, it creates a sustainable cycle of plantation and harvest, with only the less ‘fruitful’ tree being chopped down to wood.
- Affordable: As a result of how sustainable Mango trees are, the wood is also more affordable than its hardwood counterparts. Once the tree has been felled, it requires minimal processing which also helps to keep the cost down.
- Aesthetically beautiful: Due to the distinctive texture and patterns, as well as beautiful wood grain, Mango wood is a great option for those looking for something truly unique. Due to the variation in the wood colour, you are guaranteed a piece of furniture that can’t be replicated.
Drawbacks of Mango wood furniture:
As with any wood, there are a few drawbacks worth considering when it comes to choosing Mango wood.
Mango wood doesn’t require much maintenance which is great, but during dry weather it is prone to get dehydrated. If the wood is exposed to heat sources or the sun, cracks can form relatively easily. To avoid this happening, we would recommend keeping it moisturised with furniture polish.
Although extremely durable, the wood can be susceptible to fungus attacks so it’s important not to use the wood without a finish such as wax.
Finally, whilst severe reactions are quite uncommon, Mango wood has been reported to cause skin irritation. If you are prone to skin allergies and opt for Mango wood, ensure it’s for a piece of furniture that won’t come into regular contact with the skin.
Mango wood is a great choice for those looking for sustainable furniture options in their home. We don’t currently use mango wood however we know how important it is to look after the environment. That’s why at Grain and Frame we’re passionate about using sustainably sourced timber from local suppliers, to ensure no young trees are cut down too soon.