Fruit botanical structure and seed harvesting
- Morphology: Pear-shaped woody capsule measuring 10 to 15 cm in length, hanging erect on mature tree canopies.
- Dehiscence: Splits open from the base upward into five woody valves upon full maturity during dry winter months.
- Winged seeds: Each fruit capsule contains 40 to 60 flat, winged, reddish-brown seeds dispersed naturally by wind.
- Harvesting window: Mature capsules are collected directly from trees before splitting to preserve seed germination viability.
Nursery propagation and agroforestry cultivation
Seeds extracted from fresh mahogany capsules exhibit high initial germination (up to 80%) when sown within 30 to 45 days of collection. Sow seeds in raised sandy nursery beds or polybags with winged edges facing upward. Seedlings reach field transplanting height (45 to 60 cm) in 4 to 6 months.
Commercial agroforestry and timber value
Mahogany is cultivated widely along farm boundaries, farm roads, and as block agroforestry plantations. The tree develops valuable reddish-brown hardwood prized for high-end furniture, musical instruments, and shipbuilding, reaching commercial harvesting maturity in 15 to 20 years.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (ICFRE) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Why is mahogany fruit called sky fruit?
It is called sky fruit because the woody fruit capsules grow pointing upward toward the sky rather than hanging downward.
How long do mahogany seeds remain viable for planting?
Mahogany seeds are recalcitrant-intermediate and lose germination viability rapidly; they should be sown within 30 to 45 days of harvesting.
How many years does a mahogany tree take to reach timber maturity?
Commercial timber maturity is typically reached in 15 to 20 years under proper irrigation and pruning management.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Seeds, Crops & Cultivation guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.