The procreator of one of the juiciest fruits, the mango tree needs no introduction. The fully-grown one looks gorgeous when laden with fruits. It remains evergreen and gives its best for 8-15 years. The good news is that the usage and benefits of a mango tree are not just limited to its fruits. When there comes a stage, when the tree does not produce adequate fruits or the expected quality, it goes on to play a second innings by becoming the source of sustainable wood. Today, the craftsmen, furniture brands, art connoisseurs, interior decorators and environmentalists love it for its many impressive characteristics. The old mango tree is no more the same but in great demand. It is used to make classy furniture, kitchenware, bespoke designs, wooden artefacts, musical instruments, rattan furniture collections, and plethora of storage boxes.
We love Mango Wood. Why?
At Moonwit, we believe in sustainable practices and we love being green. And while we have been acquiring knowledge about variety of wood and furniture, we have been happily surprised with their many facets. One such learning has been about the sustainable sourcing of Mango wood. If you own a mango wood product, you must pat yourself for caring for the environment. Join us in this trail as we decode its alluring properties.
Soft and Hard – Mango wood is the quintessential furniture wood. It is dense enough to be used as everyday furniture and soft enough to be easy to work on. The hardness rating of the mango wood comes out to be 1,120 pounds-force on the Janka scale, which makes it as good as its traditional counterparts. Hardwoods are usually difficult to cut and re-shape, but mango wood offers a perfect balance with its hardness and durability. It is easily pliable and can be used for elaborate carving.
Lightweight and long lasting – Mango wood ages gracefully and it lasts for generations. There goes a saying that if a mango tree is left undisturbed by man and nature, it will reap fruits for 300 years. It is as dense as a solid wood but it is lightweight too. One can be at peace without fretting over its wear and tear. It qualifies as one of the most long-lasting and durable materials in the eyes of the artisans. Keeping it hydrated with furniture polish is all that it takes to keep it going.
Water resistant –If you live in a wet or colder area, you need not worry because the timber obtained from mango tree is water-resistant. In, fact, it turns out to be the perfect one for outdoor furniture. Not many of us know that mango tree wood was used for doors, window frames and even ship building in the earlier days.
Aesthetically pleasing – The high gloss texture and grainy structure comes to it naturally. The grain pattern of the mango wood is the first thing that gets to the eyes. The straight, curly or interlocked forms are natural. Polishing enhances it and the overall look comes out to be such that it brightens up your interiors. The mango wood is perfect for elaborate interiors with enchanting vintage character.
Tones and Textures - The mango wood is naturally blessed with light and pleasing texture. It can be golden brown, grey-yellow brown or simple brown. As it grows, various streaks of deep brown, pink, green, yellow and more appear on it. Due to fungus attack, when the wood discolours, even then it does not end up in one tone. A special fungus leads to ’spalting’, which lends its array of colours. Craftsmen prefer to call it beautiful discolouration and accept the wood wholeheartedly. No two woods are alike and there is always a variation due to the distinctive patterns. This is definitely one of the USPs of the mango wood.
Affordable – Traditional woods or slower growing trees are becoming endangered and expensive but there is always a steady supply of mango wood in the market. Firstly, due to excessive demand of the mango fruit, mango cultivation takes place in abundance. Secondly, the wood comes from the tree with gives an excellent balance of quality versus price. Thirdly, the trunk of the wood grows quickly in comparison to its counterparts. And lastly, not much is required to process it, reducing the waste to a minimum. All of this makes it extremely affordable and easy on the pocket.
Sustainable –The no-fuss wood gives more than it asks for. After a fruitful tree, it becomes a furniture tree. It matures faster, it thrives in its hey-days and it surrenders beautifully. Mango trees are never cut down only for furniture and that makes them amazingly sustainable. Once, the tree has given enough fruits, the wood is used for making exquisite wooden artefacts. The good part is that another sapling is planted in its place keeping up with the cycle of ‘harvest one, plant another’. When craftsmen work on it, they carve it into different designs without the use of heavy-duty machines. It is low-maintenance wood, and calls for minimal post-processing, doing good for the environment. Mango trees also store a lot of carbon dioxide in them. Thus, if we are not burning or rotting them, we are also saving the release of carbon dioxide in the environment.
All these credentials make it a winner already. If you are passionate about the environment, you must look out for furniture made from mango wood.