Eye On The Rainforest

Eye On the Rainforest

Tropic Ventures Rainforest Enrichment and Sustainable Forestry Project is registered under the Auxiliary Forest Program of Puerto Rico, and is a demonstration project for students and foresters interested in the sustainable management and preservation of tropical rainforest land. The wood currently available from experimental thinnings is the rare and exotic Blue Mahoe, Hibiscus elatus/Talipariti elatum.
Other hardwoods currently available

Tropic Ventures sustainable forestry featured in
The Journal of American Woodturners. Spring 2008.
Article by environmental advocate Brad Whitman. Pdf.
Trees of Las Casas de la Selva.
For all latest activities see our
NEWSLETTER

CURRENTLY BEING THINNED & available for sale: Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)

Description of the Mahoe Tree:
Blue Mahoe, Talipariti elatum, (formerly Hibiscus elatus), is a large upland forest tree endemic to Jamaica, Cuba, and now naturalized in Puerto Rico. The straight stems of mature specimens can rise to a height of 80 feet, with trunk diameters of 12 to 18 inches, on favorable sites attaining diameters of 36 inches. Its fast growth makes mahoe a highly suitable candidate for sustainable forestry management. The leaves are long stalked heart shaped, flowers are large and funnel shaped, from yellow with dark red base to orange/red.

Description of Wood: Blue Mahoe is a moderately hard wood with a specific gravity of 0.58-0.62. The heartwood is very durable, highly resistant to attack by decay fungus, and resistant to subterranean termites. The fairly straight grain is richly variegated with shades of steely blues, metal grays, deep purples, olive greens, browns, and an elegant chatoyance in the wood. The narrow sapwood is pale white and subtely flecked, creating an attractive contrast with the heartwood. From reports and our own experience, the timber is generally easy to saw, plane, route, mould, mortise, carve, glue, nail, screw, sand, and turn, with a natural gloss in the wood when finished. It responds very well to both hand and machine tools in all woodworking operations.

Why is Blue Mahoe called Blue Mahoe when it varies through so many colors?
Because of its bluey green shades it was called Blue Mahoe to distinguish it from its relative, the seaside mahoe (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.)

These images show the variety of colors to be found in the breathtaking grain of Blue Mahoe.

The wood has a musical quality and has been traditionally used in the making of cuatros, (puertorican guitars). Fine boxes, furnitures, inlay works, floors, details, turned pieces, exquisite jewelleries, sculptures, and ancient board games, have been, and demand to be transformed from the Mahoe. Architects, furniture-makers, designers, artists & wood lovers will find a charm in working with this wood. It has fine sanding and turning qualities, and a natural gloss in the wood when finely finished. See finished pieces.

Wood for sale does include the sapwood, that creates a striking contrast with the heartwood. All ends are anchorsealed.

About Blue Mahoe

Purchase our sustainable hardwood
Your support of this project is deeply appreciated

LINKS
Ray Jones Woodcrafts
Ismet Mustafic Fine Furniture - Handmade
Brad Whitman - Fine Woodturning
Tamarind Woodturning
Jordan Electric Violins

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Eye On the Rainforest