Khaya

Khaya is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, commonly called African mahogany. The genus contains several species native to tropical Africa, including Khaya ivorensis, Khaya angolensis, Khaya grandifoliola, and Khaya senegalensis.

These trees are generally large, evergreen or semi-evergreen, with straight trunks and broad crowns. They are native to West and Central Africa and occur in rainforest margins, gallery forests, and mixed woodlands, often on well-drained soils near rivers.

The wood is the principal economic value of Khaya. It produces a durable, reddish-brown heartwood that finishes well and has an interlocked grain. Timber from Khaya is used for furniture, cabinetry, veneers, interior carpentry, and decorative plywood.

Demand for Khaya timber has led to overexploitation in some areas. Management measures, including sustainable forestry, harvest controls, and replanting programs, are used to promote regeneration and reduce pressure on wild stands.