Makha is a hard-to-find exotic hardwood common in Asia where it’s predominantly grown. It’s a popular flooring option given its high quality look, hardness and durability although it is also used in a number of other commercial applications too.
The fact that makha is somewhat hard to find and a protected tree in some countries makes it very valuable as a result.
Here are 7 questions about makha wood flooring answered in detail. We’ll end the post with a summary of the makha tree and its characteristics.
Where Does Makha Wood Come From?
Makha is the Thai word for the wood that is also known as Afzelia xylocarpa which is its bionomial name. As such, makha trees are grown in parts of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma. You can also find makha growing in some African countries including Angola and Guinea.
But it’s not to be confused with Afzelia which is also known as Afzelia africana.
You may also hear about it referred to as the Beng tree and other local names in countries where it’s grown.
Due to the fact that it grows in wet, humid environments, makha flooring doesn’t need to be conditioned in a room before being laid unlike many others types of wood. It is also good when dealing with humid environments once laid as flooring.
It tends to grow in tropical conditions and is best served with full sun and moist environs. The makha grows best in loamy soil consisting of sand, silt and clay soil. This combination enables enough moisture to reach the tree but also offers enough drainage.
The makha tree doesn’t grow well in the shade nor does it grow well in poor draining conditions.
How Big Do Makha Trees Grow?
Makha trees typically grow to be 85′ – 130′ (26 m – 40 m) in height. Larger trees can see trunk diameters of up to 6.5′ (2 m). A makha tree can be expected to live for 200 – 300 years and is considered a fast growing, medium to very large tree.
Makha seeds germinate relatively easily and have moderate water requirements. The trees themselves are known for growing beautiful green and orange flowers with the associated large pods which hold the seed.
Due to its large size, hardness and overall attractiveness, makha is an ideal option for wood flooring. On the other hand, its scarcity due to over harvesting makes it difficult to find in large quantities.
The burl of a makha tree tends to be even more highly prized than makha wood which in and of itself is scarce and thus expensive.
What Is The Janka Hardness Rating Of Makha Wood Flooring?
Makha wood has a very hard Janka rating of 1810 lbf (pound-force) making it very suitable for flooring given its high hardness relative to many other common wood used for flooring.
The higher the Janka rating, the harder the wood which means it’s more resistant to dents and scratches than woods with lower Janka scores.
At 1810 lbf, makha wood is similar in hardness to hickory (pecan) but much harder than popular wood flooring options such as maple and oak.
What Color Is Makha Wood Flooring?
Makha wood flooring is an orange brown color with a straight grain. The heartwood of makha is a reddish yellow color and can also be as dark as reddish brown. The sapwood on the other hand is a gray white color.
Makha is a dense hardwood and over time will slightly change color similar to a patina on copper. Due to the cost and scarcity of makha you may also see it sold as a veneer or as engineered hardwood.
As an aside, the bark of the makha tree tends to be light brown in color and is often used in traditional herbal drinks.
What Other Wood Flooring Is Makha Similar To?
Makha is often mentioned in the same breath as teak, merbau and mahogany flooring due to the similar look. Given that makha can be difficult to source depending on where you live, you might need to search for an alternative and these three are possible options.
While teak has a lower Janka hardness rating of 1155 lbf and merbau has a slighter higher Janka rating of 1925 lbf, the two are also durable and stable woods similar to makha. Mahogany has a much lower Janka rating of 800 lbf but still might make a good alternative to makha flooring if desired.
You might also consider Daeng wood which also grows in parts of Southeast Asia. It is similar in color and also very durable and strong with a Janka rating of 1950 lbf.
Another reason to consider a substitute for makha is the cost: Makha wood is so valuable you often see it sold by weight.
These days, you can also substitute wood flooring completely for a product like wood look tile which is made from ceramic or porcelain but is designed to mimic hardwood.
What Makes Makha A Good Choice For Your Hardwood Flooring?
Makha is grown in forests in tropical environments and thus is able to withstand high levels of moisture and humidity. In that regard, makha is a wood that offers durability and many possible uses for flooring.
In fact, makha is already widely used in a number of other commercial applications including doors, stairs, frames, furniture, utensils, canoes, home building and various aspects of carpentry. You may also find it used in musical instruments and carvings among other uses.
What makes makha wood a popular option for wood flooring is the reason it’s so difficult to find: Its durability, hardness and beautiful look has made it popular with woodworkers and others to use the tree for a wide variety of commercial applications, leading to deforestation.
What Is Being Done To Protect Makha Wood To Maintain Its Sustainability?
In Cambodia where it’s known as the Beng tree, illegal logging of the makha is a major problem even though the trees are protected by law within the country. A program called The Beng Project
was set up to help locals find employment options to make it less likely that they will deal with loggers who pay them to harvest the wood illegally.
In Laos where the makha also grows, they have developed a program called ProCEEd along with a German government ministry that oversees the protection of all rainforests to prevent illegal timber harvesting and forest degradation.
Makha Wood Characteristics And Facts
Here’s a summary table that provides information on the characteristics, traits, and important details of Makha wood:
| Aspect | Makha Wood |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Afzelia xylocarpa |
| Common Names | Makha, Afzelia, Burma padauk, Indian Rosewood |
| Wood Type | Hardwood |
| Color | Light to dark reddish-brown with dark streaks |
| Grain | Straight to interlocked grain pattern |
| Texture | Fine to medium texture |
| Luster | Medium to high luster |
| Durability | Durable, resistant to decay and insects |
| Workability | Easy to work with hand and machine tools |
| Finishing | Accepts stains and finishes well |
| Odor | Slight aromatic odor when cut |
| Density | High-density wood |
| Janka Hardness | Approximately 1,390 lbf (6,170 N) |
| Common Uses | Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, musical instruments, veneer, turned objects |
| Environmental Status | Considered endangered or vulnerable due to overharvesting and habitat loss |
| Availability | Limited availability due to conservation concerns |
| Notes | Makha wood is prized for its rich color and fine grain. It is often used as a substitute for more endangered rosewood species. Conservation efforts are in place to protect this valuable hardwood. |
Please note that the availability of Makha wood may be limited due to conservation efforts, and it is important to ensure that any use of this wood is sourced sustainably and in compliance with relevant regulations.