West Indian mahogany

The tree that gave the world “true mahogany” – Hispaniolan timber went into the furniture and interiors of European palaces.

An evergreen or partly deciduous tree of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), growing to 25–30 m, with pinnate leaves and egg-shaped woody fruits that release winged seeds. It grows in dry and semi-humid lowland forests on limestone. Its reddish-brown wood, hard yet easy to work, was one of the most valuable colonial commodities from the 16th century onwards, which led to the destruction of the natural stands.

Significance in the country

The caoba is the official national tree of the Dominican Republic; mahogany from Hispaniola was one of the first timbers shipped to Europe, and today the species is planted on a large scale in reforestation programmes and at schools.

Where it grows

Throughout the country – remnants of natural stands in the dry forests of the south and east (including Parque del Este and Jaragua), plus numerous plantings along roads, in parks and in forest plantations.

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