How Long Does It Take for a Mahogany Tree to Grow?

Growth

• The mahogany tree has interesting and complex leaves, with four pairs of pointed-oval leaves borne on long, thin stems that arise from each branch. New leaves are reddish-purple, turning slowly to green as they mature. The tree develops a broad, symmetrical crown as it matures, eventually reaching a height and width of 40 to 50 feet, although some specimens may become larger. The tree's growth rate is moderately fast, and it can add 24 inches to its height each year, with most specimens reaching their full height in about 25 years.

Site Selection

• The mahogany tree is adaptable to both full sun or partial shade, although it prefers light afternoon shade in areas with hot summer sun. The tree is a good choice for a lawn or an area with low-growing plants because it produces only light, filtered shade that doesn't interfere significantly with growth beneath its canopy. The tree's wood is especially hard and strong, making it resistant to branch damage and a good choice for a windy spot. The mahogany tree also does well in a coastal location, where it tolerates salty air and soil well. Because it often grows in wet or boggy areas in its native habitat, the tree can also tolerate a well-drained spot that's frequently moist, such as near a stream or pond.

Soil

• The mahogany tree tolerates any type of garden soil, but providing it with rich, well-drained soil can stimulate the tree to grow quickly. When planting a new specimen, add compost to your soil to increase its organic content and raise its fertility. If your soil contains clay and drains slowly, you can add fine sand to your planting site to improve its drainage. Fertilizing a young tree two or three times each season can also spur its growth. Use a complete, granular fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 formula, applied at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet of area under the tree. Mix the fertilizer into the soil well, watering well after application.

Problems

• The mahogany tree is relatively free of serious disease problems, but it might become infested with webworms, leaf miners or scale, which can cause leaf damage and slow its growth. You can rid the tree of hard-bodied insects such as scale by spraying with horticultural oil as needed. The oil is available prediluted at garden centers or nurseries. For soft-bodied leaf miners and other similar pests, spray the tree as needed with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 5 tablespoons per gallon.