Rose Mahogany

By Geoff Holloway

Rose Mahogany (Dysoxylum fraserianum) from the Meliaceae family is a long lived slow growing sub-tropical rainforest tree growing to 50+ metres in Northern NSW and S. E. Qld.

The trunk is often flanged at the base. Bark is light brown, scaly and sheds in oblong flakes. The tree has a dense crown of shiny dark green foliage. The wood is reddish-brown with a fine interlocked grain, and a density around 700 kg/m3.

This species was heavily logged around the Scenic Rim in the early days of European settlement and is now hard to get. The Sapwood is light brown to cream; the heartwood is a reddish-brown to dark red and has a distinct odour when cut.

Rose Mahogany is used for furniture, panelling, joinery, carving, turning and is a joy to work with. A favourite wood of the author.