Khaya senegalensis, commonly known as African Mahogany or Dry-zone Mahogany, is a large evergreen to semi-evergreen tree native to tropical Africa and now widely grown across India as an avenue, shade and plantation timber tree. It develops a straight bole and a broad, rounded crown of glossy dark-green pinnate leaves, casting dense shade that makes it popular along roads, in parks and on large campuses.
The tree is valued for its hard, durable, reddish-brown heartwood, which is used as a substitute for true mahogany in furniture and joinery. It tolerates heat, drought and a range of soils once established, thriving in India's plains and dry tropical regions. Small white-cream flowers are followed by woody capsules that split open to release winged seeds.
Specifications
| Family |
Meliaceae |
| Native region |
Tropical West and Central Africa |
| Mature height |
15-30 m |
| Mature spread |
8-15 m canopy |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen to semi-evergreen, glossy dark-green pinnate leaves |
| Flower colour |
White to cream |
| Flower season |
Spring to early summer (Feb-May) |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical; suits Indian plains and dry zones |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun; needs unobstructed open space for its large canopy |
| Watering |
Water young trees regularly for the first 2-3 years; mature trees are drought-tolerant and need little irrigation |
| Soil / mix |
Adapts to most well-drained soils including sandy, loamy and rocky soils; tolerates poor and dry soils |
| Temperature |
Thrives in warm climates 20-40 C; sensitive to hard frost when young |
| Humidity |
Tolerates both humid and dry tropical conditions |
| Fertilizer |
Apply compost or balanced NPK during the monsoon growing season for the first few years; mature trees rarely need feeding |
| Pruning |
Prune to a single straight leader and remove low or crossing branches when young to develop a clean bole and high canopy |
| Repotting |
Not a pot plant long-term; transplant nursery saplings to the ground while young as it develops a deep taproot |
| Propagation |
Mainly by seed; fresh winged seeds germinate readily in warm conditions |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; can be affected by shoot borers (Hypsipyla), defoliating caterpillars and occasional scale |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
Khaya senegalensis is grown in India chiefly as a large-scale landscape and economic tree.
- Avenue, roadside and boundary planting for its dense, uniform shade.
- Shade tree for parks, campuses, farms and large gardens.
- Timber: hard, durable reddish-brown wood used for furniture, joinery and construction.
- Plantation and agroforestry plantings in dry tropical regions.
- Wind-break and soil-stabilising tree on degraded or dry land.
Growing tips
Plant saplings at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) so the deep taproot establishes with natural rainfall.
Choose an open site well away from buildings, drains and overhead lines, allowing for the wide mature canopy and strong root system. Stake young trees and prune to a single leader for a clean, tall trunk. Water regularly through the first two to three summers; thereafter the tree is largely self-sufficient and handles India's hot, dry months well.
